SOUTHEND United suffered yet more agony this afternoon, slumping to a depressing 1-0 defeat at Torquay United.

The Shrimpers seemed to be heading for a share of the spoils following a mostly drab encounter at Plainmoor.

But a last minute goal from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans saw Blues slump to 19th in the National League standings, just a point above the relegation zone.

Southend went into the game looking to bounce back from two dire defeats in quick succession but the first half was short of excitement and goalscoring opportunities.

However, Torquay did waste a promising opening when Keelan O’Connell fired wide of the right post when left unmarked before Shrimpers striker Rhys Murphy curled a free-kick wide of the right post from the left hand side.

After the break, Gulls striker Danny Wright saw a weak shot easily collected by Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold before Phil Brown’s side hit back with the fit-again Abu Ogogo seeing his 20 yard shot deflected wide of the left post.

Moments later, Sam Dalby also fired wide of the same upright after a neat pass forward from Murphy before the hosts replied with Joe Lewis heading a right wing corner from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans inches wide of the left post.

Blues boss Brown responded by making his first change of the afternoon in the 66th minute with Matt Dennis taking the place of Murphy in attack.

A second change followed nine minutes from time with Hamzad Kargbo replacing Jack Bridge but it was Torquay who netted right at the death as a low, left wing cross from Moxey found Lemonheigh-Evans who fired home at the far post.