SOUTHEND United manager Mark Molesley was left ruing a ‘freak moment’ in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at Roots Hall.

An 82nd minute goal from Bolton substitute Shaun Miller secured a third successive win for the visitors.

But Molesley could not believe how the goal came around as Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley failed to deal with a high ball inside the six yard box.

“I last saw a goal like that 12 or 14 years ago, it’s held up in the wind and hit the back of the crossbar before somehow spinning back round,” said Molesley,

“There’s a shout for it being off the pitch but it’s a real freak moment.

“In the second half I thought we looked really solid and we didn’t look like conceding at all.

“It’s taken a freak moment to undo us and their boy has done well to turn it home.

“But he must have thought all his Christmases had come at once there."

Blues remain 22nd in the standings, one place and one point above the drop zone.

And Molesley admitted the defeat was tough to take. 

"You have to be alive and alert until the whistle is blown and we weren’t," said Molesley.

"It was probably the only time we weren’t switched on and we’ve been cruelly and harshly punished.

It’s a cruel game and it's agonising to have lost."