SOUTHEND United slumped a step nearer relegation with a pitiful and passionless 2-0 defeat at Essex rivals Colchester tonight.

Blues could have moved to within three points of their fellow strugglers with a win at the Community Stadium.

But Phil Brown’s side – who had Jason Demetriou sent off in the second half - never looked like troubling their hosts and now sit eight points from safety with just three games to go.

After a quiet start to the crunch clash, Colchester winger Callum Harriott sent a low, long range effort straight at Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

But the U’s were not to be denied for long and opened the scoring on the half hour mark, following a poor mistake from Oxley.

The Shrimpers shot-stopper was unable to hold a long range effort from Harry Pell and Michael Folivi was on hand to gleefully fire home the rebound from close range.

Seven minutes later, Colchester were celebrating again as Blues failed to clear a left wing corner from Noah Chilvers and skipper Harry Pell took full advantage by thundering home a well struck half volley from eight yards.

Moments later, Folivi sent another effort over the crossbar in the closing action of a shocking first half for the Shrimpers.

In a bid to get back into the game, Blues boss Phil Brown made two changes at the break with Greg Halford and Kyle Taylor both entering the action as Brandon Goodship and Louis Walsh made way.

The Shrimpers still rarely threatened going forward with Reeco Hackett-Fairchild sending a woeful long range effort well wide of the right post before on loan Portsmouth winger was replaced out wide by Terrell Egbri.

But Blues soon suffered a further blow when Demetriou was shown a straight red card in the 69th minute, by referee Kevin Johnson, after launching into a poorly timed challenge on Pell in the centre of the park.

After Demetriou’s dismissal the Shrimpers reorganised with on loan Bournemouth defender Tyler Cordner coming on to replace Elvis Bwomono as the visitors reverted to lining up with wing-backs as Egbri lined up on the right hand side and Sam Hart on the left.

However, the second half still remained a very stop start affair before Southend made their final change in the 81st minute with Emile Acquah taking the place of Ricky Holmes up top in a last ditch effort to make a difference.

But the change was too little too late as Blues ended the night without a single shot on target, staring non-league football firmly in the face for the first time after plummeting to the lowest point in their entire 115 year history.