SOUTHEND United crashed out of the FA Cup at Chesterfield this afternoon – despite taking an early lead.

Rhys Murphy put the Shrimpers in front after just four minutes at the Technique Stadium.

But the Spireites hit back with a trio of well-taken efforts to win the first round tie 3-1.

And Blues suffered more agony in stoppage time with Sam Dalby missing a penalty and Zak Brunt being sent off, along with Chesterfield's Calvin Miller.

Before the late drame had unfolded, Southend started the contest brightly and opened the scoring, with birthday boy Murphy on target.

The striker, who turns 31 today was picked out by a defence splitting pass from Dalby and beat the advancing Melvin Minter with a delicate finish from 10 yards.

However the Shrimpers’ lead was to be shortlived as Chesterfield equalised within two minutes when a left wing cross from Calvin Miller found Saidou Khan who headed home from inside the six yard box.

The Spireites remained on top and took the lead in the 14th minute with debutant Luke Croll on target.

The defender reacted sharply after Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold had done well to keep out a well-struck shot from Manny Oyeleke and fired home with a low, left footed shot from 14 yards.

Chesterfield soon wasted a great chance to make it 3-1 as Miller’s close range header was kept out by Arnold before the Blues goalkeeper got down low to his left hand side to keep out a skimming shot from Jeff King.

Blues soon hit back with Dalby seeing an effort deflected over the crossbar after Minter had dropped a high free-kick into the box from Brunt.

But Chesterfield almost made it 3-1 on the stroke of half time with Stefan Payne seeing his 20 yard shot deflected just inches wide of the left post.

After the break, Blues came close to equalising when Dalby’s header from Shaun Hobson’s left wing cross was pushed wide of the left post by Minter.

Moments later, Murphy saw a low, left footed shot pushed past the opposite post by Minter before the Shrimpers made their first change of the afternoon in the 73rd minute with Matt Rush replacing Nathan Ferguson.

Louis Walsh then also came on to take the place of Rob Howard but Chesterfield sealed their win with substitute Kabonga Tshimanga on target in the 79th minute.

The striker kept himself onside and charged forward being scoring with a low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Blues soon suffered more pain when Murphy limped off injured and had to be replaced in attack by Matt Dennis.

But the Shrimpers wasted a golden chance to get a goal back three minutes into stoppage time when referee Scott Simpson pointed to the spot after Minter pushed Brunt over in the box.

However, Dalby was unable to make the most of the opportunity as he sent an awful effort way over the crossbar.

The drama did not stop there though as both Miller and Brunt were shown straight red cards seven minutes into stoppage time after clashing off the ball in the far corner of the pitch.