SOUTHEND United slumped to back to back defeats for the first time since November this afternoon losing 2-0 at Yeovil Town.

Blues had been hoping to bounce back from Tuesday night’s defeat at Maidenhead.

But two goals in the opening eight minutes saw the Shrimpers suffer a second away setback in the space of five days.

Yeovil opened the scoring after just four minutes, with Reuben Reid on target for just the second time this season.

The striker collected a right wing cross from Lawson D’Ath before teeing himself up and sweeping home a low, right footed shot from eight yards.

However, things were to soon get even worse for the Shrimpers as the hosts doubled their lead just five minutes later.

This time the move came down the opposite flank and resulted in Charlie Wakefield delivering a low cross which enabled Tom Knowles to get in ahead of Tom Clifford to score at the far post.

The shell-shocked visitors replied with Harrison Neal firing wide of the left post from long range before Jack Bridge sent a low shot straight at Yeovil goalkeeper Ted Cann on the half hour mark.

Moments later, Matt Dennis failed to connect cleanly with a right wing cross from Leon Davies when well placed in the box before debutant defender Kenny Clark headed a free-kick from Neal over the crossbar.

Yeovil soon got back on top with Knowles seeing a goalbound effort brilliantly headed off the line by Shaun Hobson before Blues replied with Dennis seeing a close range header blocked by Cann.

The Shrimpers made a change at the break with on loan QPR defender Joe Gubbins coming on for his Southend debut in place of Kensdale.

But Yeovil soon came close to making it 3-0 with Knowles seeing a deflected shot impressively pushed wide of the left post by Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold.

The visitors hit back by making a second change in the 58th minute as the fit-again Harry Cardwell came on for Bridge before a third substitution followed in the 70 minutes as Dennis limped off and was replaced by Callum Powell in attack.

Powell immediately sent a long range effort over the crossbar but Blues rarely threated in the final stages as Yeovil secured a third successive win to knock Kevin Maher's side down to 13th in the table.