SOUTHEND United ended 2018 with a 1-0 defeat at Coventry City this afternoon.

Jordy Hiwula bagged the only goal of the game for the Sky Blues nine minutes into the second half as the Shrimpers’ inconsistencies continued.

Blues – who had been hoping to build on their Boxing Day win at Oxford United – managed just one shot on target with Harry Bunn having an injury time effort saved. 

And that ensured Chris Powell’s side returned home empty handed.

After a quiet start to the game, Coventry created the first real chance of the afternoon in the 26th minute when Conor Chaplin sent a deflected header wide of the right from close range.

But, moments later, Chaplin wasted a golden chance to break the deadlock as he somehow volleyed wide of the left post from six yards when left completely unmarked from Zain Westbrooke’s chipped free-kick forward.

Chaplin was involved again on the stroke of half-time when he sent a powerful 20 yard shot fizzing wide of the right post before Tom Bayliss fired straight at Shrimpers goalkeeper Nathan Bishop from a similar distance at the start of the second half.

But, with 54 minutes on the clock, the hosts broke the deadlock when Tom Bayliss picked up the ball in a central position and played in Hiwula who netted with a low, first time finish from 12 yards.

In a bid to get back into the game, Blues boss Chris Powell made a double change in the 72nd minute with Stephen McLaughlin and Isaac Hutchinson entering the action in place of Michael Kightly and Dru Yearwood.

The changes saw the Shrimpers switch to a 4-4-2 formation and, moments after the alterations, the visitors came close to equalising when Sam Mantom played in Simon Cox in the left hand side of the penalty area only for the striker to send his lofted effort across the face of goal.

Blues soon responded with a third change which saw Harry Bunn replace Stephen Hendrie and, deep into added on time, Bunn saw his effort saved by Coventry goalkeeper Lee Burge.