SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher was a dejected figure following his side’s 1-0 defeat at Altrincham.

An 80th minute penalty from substitute Regan Linney saw the Shrimpers suffer a sixth successive defeat.

But Maher felt Blues had enough chances to take something from the game.

“Ralphy hits the upright in the first half, a foot either side that goes in,” said Maher.

“Bridgey’s one from six yards you’ve got to score.

“Take luck out of it, we’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net and score.

“We did enough to score goals and it’s another game where you don’t score you’re susceptible to something happening at the other end.

“Powelly’s had one too, it’s fine margins not going our way and I’m not sure what else we can do at the moment.

“Change the formation as I got told at the end.

“But we’re giving everything and something’s got to change.

“What can I do? I try to give the lads confidence. One moment cost us but it’s everything at the minute.

“Someone’s run over a black cat I guess.”

But Maher had no complaints about the penalty being awarded after Nathan Ralph brought down Linney in the box.

“I’ve watched it back and it does look like a penalty,” said Maher.

“It’s a ball we could deal with better on the halfway line which we did all day to be fair.

“But Ralphy has gone to block the cross and his trailing leg might have caught him.”

However, the Shrimpers will now turn their attentions to Tuesday night’s match at Dorking Wanderers.

“We’re low and you can tell that,” said Maher.

“But we’ll pick ourselves up, work hard and go again on Monday."