SOUTHEND United slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Dorking Wanderers as the Shrimpers’ losing streak stretched to a seventh match.

Blues produced a below par performance on their first ever visit to Meadowbank.

And the hosts took full advantage with Seb Bowerman scoring the only goal of the game on the half hour mark.

The out of form Shrimpers made four changes to their starting line-up with goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi, defenders Louis Lomas and Jason Demetriou and midfielder Dan Mooney all being recalled.

But it was Dorking who started on the front foot with Luke Moore seeing a a goalbound effort blocked in the opening exchanges.

Andeng Ndi, who was making his first start since injuring his hamstring in November, then did well to claw away a looping header from Jason Prior before also diverting a close range shot from Bowerman wide of the left post in impressive fashion.

But, after surviving the scares, the Shrimpers hit back and soon wasted a fine chance of their own when a deep left wing cross from Nathan Ralph found Mooney at the far post only for the winger to fire his effort back away from goal.

A relived Dorking soon replied and broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when a long ball forward was not dealt with by the Blues defence and resulted in James McShane delivering a low right wing cross into the path of Bowerman who fired the ball into the top left hand corner of the net from 12 yards.

Southend attempted to push for an equaliser before the break but the best they could muster was a header from Shaun Hobson which was easily gathered by Dorking goalkeeper Dan Lincoln in the closing action of the first half.

Blues boss Kevin Maher opted to make a change at half-time with Jon Benton replacing Ollie Kensdale in a move which saw Southend switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

But it was still Dorking who threatened next with Jimmy Muitt having a well-struck shot pushed to safety by Andeng Ndi before play switched back to the other end of the field and Mooney saw a low shot deflected behind by a defender.

Moments later, Benton fired over from 25 yards before the hosts again threatened themselves with Josh Taylor having a low shot smothered by Andeng Ndi.

The Shrimpers shot-stopper then did well to tip a curling Bowerman shot around the left post before Jason Prior volleyed over from close range.

Blues responded by making a second change which saw Callum Powell take the place of Mooney in the 76th minute but it was a Dorking sub who soon came close to scoring as Harry Ottaway saw his close range shot blocked by Andeng Ndi.

Southend made their final change of the night in the 85th minute with Henry Sandat taking the place of Jack Bridge.

Shortly after the change, Powell sent a 20 yard shot straight at Lincoln before he went to the ground in the box late on, only for referee Scott Tallis to award a free-kick to Dorking as the Shrimpers were unable to rescue a late share of the spoils.

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