BEFORE Saturday’s game the focus was very much on Southend United’s striker shortage.

But, as it turned out, it was Blues’ frailties at the other end of the field, which stopped them seeing off Northampton Town at Roots Hall.

Blues went in to the match without their top three strikers as Barry Corr and Neil Harris both missed out with injuries, while Liam Dickinson sat out through suspension.

That meant Bilel Mohsni again featured in attack, along with the returning Blair Sturrock but, despite the pre-match concerns, they both performed admirably.

Mohsni netted one of the best goals ever scored in a Southend shirt while Sturrock worked tirelessly on his return to the team after recovering from the ankle injury he picked up at the end of last season.

Blues may still need to look at bolstering their forward line in the loan market when the window re-opens this week, especially if Harris’s groin problem forces him to miss many more matches.

However, it was not the below strength strikeforce which contributed to what was ultimately a disappointing draw against the Cobblers as Southend again faltered at the back and conceded two soft strikes.

The physical prowess of Northampton striker Adebayo Akinfenwa proved problematic for Blues and, as a result, they have now let in nine goals in their six league matches so far this season.

Only two teams – AFC Wimbledon and Port Vale – have conceded more among the top 18 teams in the division and Southend will need to improve that record if they are to remain in contention for a top seven finish.

Blues have not kept a clean sheet in the league since beating Hereford United on the opening day of the season.

And that has to change or it will simply not matter how strong the Southend strikeforce is.