SOUTHEND United’s poor run of results continued with a convincing 3-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers tonight.

The Shrimpers had been hoping to build on Saturday’s spirited 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic.

But Chris Powell’s side rarely threatened Rovers and have now triumphed just once in their last seven games.

Play-off chasing Doncaster dominated most of the match and broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Aaron Lewis’ right wing cross found John Marquis completely unmarked eight yards from goal and Rovers’ top scorer made no mistake with a simple header from close range.

Moments later, Blues goalkeeper Nathan Bishop did well to hold a deflected effort from Ben Whiteman before the visitors hit back with Timothee Dieng heading Sam Mantom’s right-wing free-kick straight at Rovers goalkeeper Marko Marosi.

Dieng was soon involved at the other end of the pitch as Bishop did well to hold the Frenchman’s inadvertent effort from Ali Crawford’s left wing corner.

Doncaster remained on top and almost doubled their lead in the 41st minute when Crawford’s free-kick was tipped wide of the left post by Bishop.

But the hosts came even closer to making it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time when Crawford’s left wing corner was diverted against the underside of his own crossbar by John White before Blues scrambled the subsequent rebound to safety.

White, who was clearly playing through the pain with an injury during the first 45 minutes, made way for Michael Turner at half-time.

But it was still Doncaster who threatened first at the start of the second half with Marquis having a low shot smartly saved by Bishop low down to his right hand side.

However, Rovers were not to be denied for long and the hosts made it 2-0 in the 56th minute when Mallik Wilks cut in from the right hand side and unleashed a low, left footed shot which seemed to go through Bishop at his near post before hitting the back of the net.

Blues boss Powell responded by making his second change of the night as Michael Kightly replaced Michael Klass, who had been handed the first League start of his career.

But Doncaster soon came close to making it 3-0 when Marquis headed against the left post from eight yards.

And, just moments later, the Shrimpers survived a double scare as Bishop did well to deny Wilks before Elvis Bwomono somehow blocked Marquis’ follow up effort.

However, Doncaster stayed in control and in the 73rd minute the hosts made it 3-0 when Marquis broke the offside trap and, with just Bishop to beat, he squared an unselfish pass into the path of Herbie Kane to tap home into a gaping goal from inside the six yard box.

Blues thought they had got a goal back late on but Kightly’s effort was ruled out for offside.