SOUTHEND United head coach Kevin Maher felt his side lacked quality on the ball during this afternoon’s 2-0 defeat to Woking.

Blues were seen off by the Cards at Roots Hall.

And Maher was disappointed the Shrimpers were not able to pose more problems for the visitors.

“We knew physically it was going to be a tough one,” said Maher.

“We knew we had to match that and then hope we had enough quality on the pitch for when we had the ball but I don’t think we showed enough of that, especially in the final third.

“In the first half it was a little bit too slow with no real threat in behind and going a goal behind obviously made it even more difficult.”

Blues rarely threatened in reply but Maher dismissed suggestions that had purely been down to Woking’s physicality.

“Physicality is one thing but they haven’t scored from a set piece,” said Maher.

“The first goal is soft from our point of view but that was nothing to do with physicality and the other one was a penalty.

“We matched a lot of it but we were disappointing when we had the ball.”

The Shrimpers now sit just a point above the relegation zone.

But Maher, who has been in charge for five games, felt Blues could not be faulted for effort.

“I feel for the players because they’ve given us everything and they’re a good bunch but and it’s a big but we’ve got to start winning matches,” said the 44-year-old.

It’s disappointing but we know what we’ve got to do and we knew it would take time because it’s a big job and that hasn’t changed.

“There are no excuses though and if we have to change things we will because we can’t keep losing matches.

“But we’ll stick together and we’ll go again next week.

“We’ll look at it and reflect on it but I know where we’ve got to be better.”