SOUTHEND United were not at the races at Cheltenham tonight as the Shrimpers slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Whaddon Road.

Blues faced the Robins having been beaten just once in their last five outings.

But a second half penalty from Conor Thomas saw Cheltenham move to the top of the table and kept Southend just two points and one place above the relegation zone.

After a quiet start to the game, Cheltenham threatened first with Matty Blair firing over from close range after Callum Wright’s right wing cross had been cut out by Tyler Cordner.

Cordner was one of six changes made by Blues boss Mark Molesley as goalkeeper James Montgomery, who signed on loan from Gateshead on the eve of the game, also came into the side along with Ricky Holmes, Greg Halford, Ashley Nathaniel-George and Jason Demetriou.

However, Cheltenham soon threatened again with Wright seeing a long range effort fizz over the crossbar before Montgomery easily gathered a scuffed effort from Sam Smith.

Southend replied after the break with Emile Acquah heading a right wing cross from Ashley Nathaniel-George over the crossbar but the hosts soon hit back and opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with Conor Thomas on target from the penalty spot.

Referee Will Finnie pointed to the spot after adjudging Shaun Hobson to have brought down Wright in the box.

And Thomas made no mistake from 12 yards as he confidently fired a well struck spot kick into the bottom left hand corner of the net with Montgomery diving in the opposite direction.

The Shrimpers responded by making a triple change seven minutes later as Simeon Akinola, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Nathan Fairchild all entered the action with Jason Demetriou, Acquah and Holmes all making way.

However, Cheltenham still registered the evening’s next effort on target as a curling 20 yard shot from Sam Smith was comfortably held by Montgomery.

In a further bid to improve, Blues made their fourth change of the night in the 78th minute with Kyle Taylor replacing Greg Halford in the centre of the park.

And, just five minutes later, the Shrimpers wasted a fine chance to draw back level as a right wing cross from Hackett-Fairchild found Timothee Dieng in the box, only for the Frenchman to head wide of the left post from close range.

Immediately after the wasted opportunity, Blues made their final change with Brandon Goodship replacing Nathaniel-George.

But the Shrimpers were unable to find a way past a stubborn Cheltenham defence and ended a disappointing encounter having failed to register a single effort on target.