A LATE drop goal from Morgan Thompson condemned Southend to a cruel 28-27 defeat against Ealing.

The Seasiders, who have still to beat a top four side this season, raced into a 21-7 lead against the Londoners.

But they were unable to hang on and that left head coach Andy Holloway frustrated at the final whistle.

“We should’ve won,” said Holloway.

“We got ourselves in a great position but then a couple of moments contributed to our downfall.

“We lost a scrum against the head on our five metre line and conceded a penalty try which made it 21-14 instead of 21-7 and that changed the course of the game completely.

“After that we were still winning with five minutes to go but dropped a routine high ball under no pressure and it eventually cost us.

“It’s disappointing but the biggest positive is that we’ve again shown we can match the top teams.”

Southend produced some impressive running rugby and scored their first try of the afternoon in the 20th minute when the ball was won well in the scrum and recycled through several phases until eventually being spun wide along the backs.

Simon Hoult, supporting from full back, raced through and touched down. He followed up with the conversion to make it 7 - 0.

Southend continued to attack until finally they were rewarded with their second try as Phil Ellis’ smart inside pass was collected by Chris Vaughan and he touched down between the posts.

Hoult converted and the score moved to 14-0. Ealing, who remain third in the standings, replied with a try from Owen Bruynseels against the run of play and Thompson converted.

But it was not long until Southend’s positive rugby was rewarded yet again when another fine attack was finished off by Ellis when he scored a smart try under the posts.

Hoult converted to make it 21-7 but then came the pivotal penalty try to bring Ealing back into the game. Ealing added another try in the second half through Bruynseels to make it 21-19 and a penalty from Thompson then put Ealing ahead for the first time at 22-21.

Hoult responded with a penalty of his own before Thompson replied. Hoult got another one and it looked as though Southend had done enough at 27 - 25.

But that man Thompson had not finished and he won the game for Ealing with a smartly taken drop goal in the 76th minute.

>Southend: Hoult, Cleare, Vaughan, Stanley, Billings, Ellis, Powell, Williams, Keenan, Armitage, Waring, McClintock, Green, Johnson, Barker. Replacements: Irvine, Greer, Cook, Sansom & Flexman