SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher was disappointed by the manner and the margin of his side’s 3-0 defeat to Notts County.

A Ruben Rodrigues hat-trick handed the Magpies all three points at Roots Hall.

And Maher was a frustrated figure at full-time after seeing the Shrimpers suffer a third setback in succession.

“Losing any game isn’t good and we’re disappointed to lose it by the score we did too,” said the Blues boss.

“There was nothing in the game until they scored.

“We went through set pieces and details yesterday and we knew they get a block on round the back.

“But the players decided to do their own thing on that.

“All of a sudden you’re 1-0 down and you’re chasing the game a bit.”

Maher felt Blues rallied well at the start of the second half.

But the hosts were ultimately unable to get back into the game with Sam Dalby missing their best opportunity from the penalty spot.

And Maher agreed a successful spot-kick could have seen the Shrimpers get back in to the game.

“At the start of the second half we were on top and the ball was going into the box,” said Maher.

“But we got done on one ball and 2-0 makes it difficult.

“Dalbs has the penalty after that which is poor and you’re always susceptible for the counter-attack.

“If it had gone 2-1 with 20 minutes or so to go with the crowd behind you, you might get back in it.

“But there were some bad decisions and moments in the game we got very, very wrong.

“We went 13 unbeaten but now we’ve lost four out of five and it’s not good enough.”

The Shrimpers remain 13th in the National League standings.

And Maher is already focusing on getting back on track.

“We’ll get back on the training ground and we’ll work hard for next week,” said Maher.

“At 2-0 I said I was worried it could go to three because of that lack of confidence and character if you want and that’s a concern.

“Momentum changes and so does confidence when things don’t go your way.

“But what you’ve got to do on the pitch is know what it takes to grind a result out when you’re not playing as well.

“I thought we played OK today.

“We had the press right and we won enough balls in the right areas but in the final third we didn’t have enough quality possibly. “