SOUTHEND United slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Barnsley at Roots Hall this afternoon – despite the visitors playing close to an hour with 10 men.

Tykes midfielder Jacob Brown was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge on Shrimpers skipper Sam Mantom 10 minutes before the break.

But the visitors were still able to record all three points with Cameron McGeehan, Cauley Woodrow and Jordan Green all scoring in the second half.

Blues registered an early effort on target when Simon Cox sent shot straight at Barnsley goalkeeper Adam Davies from a narrow angle before the visitors hit back with Mamadou Thiam sending a half volleyed effort over the crossbar.

Moments later, Thiam fired wide of the right post from 20 yards and, in the 28th minute, Tykes striker Cauley Woodrow sent a 12 yard shot straight at Blues goalkeeper Nathan Bishop.

But, with 35 minutes on the clock, Barnsley were reduced to 10 men when Brown was shown a straight a red card for a challenge on Mantom.

However, despite the midfielder’s dismissal, the Tykes took the lead five minutes into the second half when midfielder McGeehan burst into the box and netted with a fine low finish.

Alfie Mowatt soon came close to scoring a second as his well struck shot flew just inches wide of the left post before Blues boss Chris Powell responded by making a double change in the 61st minute with Harry Bunn and Charlie Kelman entering the action.

The fit-again Bunn replaces Kightly while Kelman came on for Mantom as the Shrimpers swapped to a more attacking formation with Kelman lining up alongside Cox.

But Barnsley still threatened and, in the 73rd minute, the visitors doubled their lead when Mike Bahre rolled an inviting through ball into the path of Woodrow who sent a first time finish into the left hand side of the net with his right foot.

In reply, Kelman scuffed Stephen McLaughlin’s left wing cross straight at Davies before Cox had a left footed shot tipped wide of the left post by Davies.

However, the Tykes had the final say and completed the scoring in stoppage time when Jordan Green volleyed home after McGeehan had been denied by Bishop to extend the Shrimpers' winless streak to seven games.