SOUTHEND United's under 19 side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Maidstone United at Boots & Laces as they made a return to competitive football for the first time in a month on Wednesday.

Danny Heath’s squad had suffered triple postponements due to Aldershot Town’s continued participation in The FA Youth Cup, Welling United having scholars on an NCIS engagement and then weather intervening ahead of last week’s planned trip to Woking, losing the impetus gained from a 2-1 National League U19 Alliance South Division victory over Bromley.

Despite that, if either side had an excuse for a sluggish start in south-east Essex it was Maidstone, who arrived late due to heavy traffic, causing a 20-minute delay to kick-off.

Indeed, Southend forced the first opening in the ninth minute when Ronnie Blake sent a left-footed shot against the post from the apex of the penalty area.

Two minutes later AJ Clark’s effort was blocked by Blues defender Harrison Bradbury, but Southend - who were battling against a strong wind in the first half - went close again on 18 minutes when Beau MacDonald’s excellent work at the opposite end enabled Piers Hatcliff to draw a save from visiting goalkeeper Christopher Swift.

Although Charlie Brown made a smart save down to his left-hand side to deny Elliott Wenham seconds afterwards, opportunities were at a premium in driving rain and it was not until the 33rd minute that George Pulham saw his strike deflected wide for a corner.

A goalless half ended with Brown touching Ashton Mitford’s attempt around the post two minutes before the break.

Heath freshened the team at half-time with Obi Okafor and Jack Stone introduced in place of Pulham and Joe Poxon, but the second period started in disastrous fashion for Blues as Riley Court entered the penalty area unchallenged in the 47th minute and arrowed a shot into the corner of the net to put Maidstone in front.

Southend almost sourced an immediate response through Mikey Faulkner, who collected a long throw and smacked a shot against the crossbar with a fierce right-footed strike.

Instead, the Stones doubled their lead on 54 minutes when Mitford’s unimpeded progress down the left flank culminated with an angled finish beyond Brown.

The visitors could have moved further clear in the following moments, but Brown made a superb save to deny Wenham before later keeping out Court’s attempt to make it 3-0.

The Blues goalkeeper also pushed out Mitford’s close-range effort before the Maidstone attacker scuffed the follow-up wide in the 73rd minute.

Okafor did test Swift at the other end but, with 10 minutes remaining, the Stones made sure of the three points as Wenham scrambled home from a free-kick.

Substitute Joshua Jackson saw Swift turn his long-range effort around the post and Blake fired straight at the visiting custodian late on, but there was to be no way back for Blues.

Southend are due to travel to second-placed Dartford next Wednesday, 15th November as they seek to return to winning ways and reignite their 2023/24 campaign.

Southend United U19s: Brown, Bragg, Huet (Hammond 59), Shehu (McGonigle 80), Bradbury, Blake, Pulham (Okafor 46), Faulkner, Poxon (Stone 46), MacDonald (Jackson 75), Hatcliff.