SOUTHEND United’s lengthy unbeaten run was ended by a dominant Dagenham & Redbridge at Roots Hall tonight.

The Shrimpers went into the clash unbeaten in their last 13 league games.

But own goals from Blues duo Will Atkinson and Steve Arnold put Dagenham in control before Matt Robinson complete the scoring to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory for the visitors.

Dagenham – who have now beaten Blues three times this season - started brightly and opened the scoring after just five minutes, courtesy of an own goal from Atkinson.

A dangerous right wing cross from Mo Sagaf caused Blues problems inside the six yard box, with Atkinson only able to convert the ball into the back of the South Stand net.

The visitors soon came close to doubling their lead when a dangerous low, left wing cross from ex Shrimper Myles Weston was pushed out by Southend goalkeeper Steve Arnold into the path of Paul McCallum whose shot was blocked on the line by Shaun Hobson.

With Dagenham continuing to remain on top, Weston then came within a whisker of making it 2-0 as his cross -shot from the left hand side struck the inside of the right post before rolling back across the face of goal.

Moments later, Junior Morias saw a 12 yard shot parried away by Arnold but Dagenham were not to be denied for long and finally extended their lead in the 28th minute, courtesy of another own goal.

Morias was again involved as his shot struck the inside of the left post before hitting the back of Arnold and rolling into the back of the South Stand net.

Dagenham remained dominant with McCallum then having a well-taken effort ruled out for a marginal offside decision.

The shell-shocked Shrimpers were booed off at the break and made two changes during the interval with Jack Bridge replacing Atkinson and Tom Clifford coming on for Jason Demetriou.

Blues started the second period brightly with Bridge having a low 20 yard shot smartly smothered by Dagenham goalkeeper Elliot Justham down to his right hand side.

Clifford then fired over after neat approach play from Noor Husin before Dagenham hit back to make it 3-0 in the 67th minute, following a well worked move down the left hand side which resulted in Morais teeing up Matt Robinson to fire home.

The Shrimpers immediately responded by bringing Matt Dennis on in place of Callum Powell but by now it was a case of damage limitation as the hosts suffered their first league defeat of 2022.

Southend United: Arnold, Hobson, Kensdale, Ralph, Demetriou (Clifford 46), Atkinson (Bridge 46), Neal, Husin, Davies, Dalby, Powell (Dennis 68)

Subs not used: Dunne & Andeng Ndi

Attendance: 7, 542 (with 483 from Dagenham)