SOUTHEND United suffered a 3-1 defeat against West Ham United’s under 21 side in the EFL Trophy tonight.

Ademipo Odubeko fired the young Hammers into an early lead at Roots Hall before Stephen Humphrys netting a stunning equaliser.

However, Humphrys then failed to fire home a penalty and the visitors made the most of the let off with Odubeko and Conor Coventry both scoring late on.

West Ham took just two minutes to open the scoring as a slip from Harry Phillips enabled Odubeko to send a powerful low 25 yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

The shell-shocked Blues replied with Lewis Gard having a left footed shot tipped wide of the right post by Hammers goalkeeper Joseph Anang.

The Hammers soon hit back with Odubeko having a powerful effort well saved down low to his left hand side by Harry Seaden.

But, with 13 minutes on the clock, Blues drew back level in stunning fashion as Humphrys beat his man with a fine piece of skill before charging forward and sending an unstoppable long range effort into the top right hand corner of the net with his left foot.

West Ham replied with Sean Adarkwa having a well struck shot pushed wide of the left post by Seaden before Blues wasted a golden chance to take the lead when referee David Rock pointed to the spot after Terrell Egbri had been brought down in the box by Ossama Ashley.

However, Humphrys was unable to make the most of the opportunity as his penalty was pushed wide of the left post by Anang.

Moments later, Humphrys wasted another good chance to score as he headed a free-kick from Harry Phillips wide of the right post from eight yards.

The Shrimpers made two changes at the break with Harry Kyprianou replacing the impressive John White and Elvis Bwomono taking the place of Nathan Ralph, who was making his first appearance since dislocating his shoulder in December.

Blues threatened first after the break with Phillips teeing up Rush whose low effort, from the edge of the box, was easily saved by Anang.

West Ham soon replied with an unmarked Mesaque Dju heading Coventry’s wide of the left post from close range when he should have scored.

The Shrimpers responded by making a third change at Charlie Kelman replaced Egbri but the Hammers continued to enjoy more of the ball with Olatunji Akinola heading another Coventry corner over the crossbar.

But the visitors stayed on top and regained the lead in the 84th minute with Odubeko slamming a powerful left footed shot into the top left hand corner of the net from 25 yards.

The Hammers then sealed their win in stoppage time when Seaden’s headed clearance was volleyed back over his head and into the North Bank net by Coventry.