SOUTHEND United kicked off their National League campaign in frustrating fashion this afternoon, losing 1-0 to Boreham Wood at Roots Hall.
The Shrimpers – who lost debutant Jake Hyde to injury early on – were undone by Danny Newton’s first half strike.
And Kevin Maher’s side were unable to get back in the game despite the visitors ending the match with nine men after having both Lee Ndlovu and Dion Kelly-Evans dismissed late on.
Blues included four summer signings in their starting line-up but newcomer Hyde limped off injured after just 10 minutes and was replaced in attack by Chris Wreh.
After the enforced alteration the game was slow to get going again before Wood broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, with debutant Newton on target.
A fine cross-field ball from Zak Brunt enabled Dion Kelly-Evans to get in behind Tom Clifford down the right flank and his inviting cross was clinically converted by Newton from 12 yards.
The visitors threatened again just before the break with Jack Payne curling a 20 yard shot straight at Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold.
In a bid to improve going forward, the Shrimpers made a second change at half-time with Callum Powell replacing Jack Bridge.
Shortly after his introduction, Powell curled a 25 yard free-kick inches wide of the left post before he saw another swerving effort from just outside the penalty area parried to safety by Boreham Wood goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.
With Blues starting to look more of a threat, Ashmore then did well to keep out a 12 yard header from Wreh before the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute, with Ndlovu being shown his second yellow card of the afternoon.
The striker was cautioned in the first half for a poor challenge on Nathan Ralph and saw red 18 minutes from time after fouling Ollie Kensdale when going up for a header.
Blues came close to making their extra man count when Cav Miley had a 20 yard volley impressively kept out by Ashmore.
But an equaliser was not forthcoming, despite Kelly-Evans being dismissed for a late challenge in the 89th minute.
The Shrimpers dominated possession late on but were unable to conjure up a late leveller.
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