SOUTHEND United’s shocking season continued with a 3-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers this afternoon.

The bottom of the table Blues have now triumphed just once in 19 outings this season.

And a second successive relegation is now already starting to loom large for the Shrimpers who remain six points from safety.

Bolton wasted a golden chance to break the deadlock after just six minutes with skipper Antoni Sarcevic firing over from close range in the only action of a dull opening 25 minutes.

Blues responded with Jason Demetriou firing over from long range before Terrell Egbri’s effort from a similar distance was parried out by Wanderers goalkeeper Matt Gilks and Alex Baptiste put the rebound behind for a corner.

The resulting dead ball delivery from Demetriou was volleyed just wide of the right post from the edge of the penalty area by Alan McCormack before the Shrimpers wasted a great opportunity in the 35th minute with Brandon Goodship having a close range effort blocked by the legs of Gilks.

After the wasted opportunity, the hosts had two goals disallowed for offside in quick succession with Eoin Doyle and Nathan Delfouneso both having effort ruled out.

But Bolton eventually made the breakthrough in the first minute of added on time when Alex Baptiste’s right wing cross picked out Delfouneso who climbed above John White to head home from 12 yards.

After the break, Shrimpers midfielder Demetriou saw a curling effort tipped wide of the right post by Gilks before the hosts hit back with Ali Crawford having a left wing corner parried away by Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

But, with 65 minutes on the clock, Bolton doubled their lead with Doyle on target from the penalty spot.

Referee John Busby pointed to the spot after White’s challenge on Doyle and the experienced striker powered the resulting effort high into the left hand side of the net.

Blues boss Mark Molesley responded by making his first change of the afternoon as Kazaiah Sterling replaced Alan McCormack.

But the hosts remained on the top with Delfouneso having a close range effort ruled out for offside.

The Shrimpers soon wasted a great chance to get back in the game with an unmarked Shaun Hobson heading a free-kick from Harry Kyprianou over the crossbar from close range.

However, Bolton had no such difficulties at the other end of the field and they extended their lead even further in the 81st minute when another excellent right wing cross from Baptiste enabled Doyle to tap home at the far post.

Blues immediately responded with a trio of substitutions as Emile Acquah, Tom Clifford and Richard Taylor all entered the action.

Acquah immediately saw a header smartly saved by Gilks before the hosts had another goal ruled out late on with Delfouneso ruled to be offside when tapping home from close range.