SOUTHEND United suffered a 1-0 defeat against Wealdstone at Roots Hall this afternoon after wasting a succession of clear cut chances.

Blues missed a number of golden opportunities, including a first half penalty from Jason Demetriou.

And Kevin Maher’s side were made to pay for their failure in front of goal with Wealdstone substitute Stephen Browne coming on to the score the only goal of the game.

The Shrimpers – who have now suffered five defeats in succession – started brightly with the recalled Callum Powell sending an early effort over the crossbar after a cross-shot from Jack Bridge had been blocked.

Blues remained on top and wasted a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 11th minute when referee Tom Bishop pointed to the spot after Noor Husin was brought down in the box by Connor McAvoy.

However, Demetriou saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper George Wickens to his left hand side before Harry Cardwell failed to convert the resulting rebound.

Just seconds later, Blues wasted an even clearer opportunity to score as a left wing cross from Bridge picked out an unmarked Demetriou inside the six yard box, only for the defender to somehow send his effort away from a gaping goal.

In reply, Wealdstone striker Joshua Umerah soon headed over from close range before the visitors came even closer to opening the scoring in the 36th minute.

A left wing free-kick from Aaron Henry was nodded back across goal by Ashley Charles before Umerah’s header was superbly saved by Steve Arnold low down to his right hand side and Jerome Okimo’s follow up effort was somehow blocked on the line by Shaun Hobson.

After surviving the scare, the Shrimpers threatened again just before the break with Cardwell somehow failing to convert a right wing cross from Demetriou.

In the ensuing goalmouth scramble, Demetriou did force the ball home, only for the effort to be ruled out for handball.

After the break, Bridge saw a close range shot cleared off the line by Charles before Harrison Neal fired over from just inside the penalty area.

Moments later, a left wing free-kick from Tom Clifford was headed onto the inside of the right post by McAvoy but the visitors hit back to open the scoring in the 67th minute, with substitute Browne on target or the sixth time this season.

The midfielder battled his way past two or three Blues players before advancing and sending a well struck long range effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Blues boss Kevin Maher responded with his first change of the afternoon as Matt Dennis come on for Joe Gubbins in an attacking move from the hosts.

Jack Wood then also came on to replace the injured Bridge in midfield before Sam Dalby came on for Powell five minutes from time.

But the Shrimpers were unable to find a late leveller as their poor run of results continued.