SOUTHEND United’s new under-23 team coach Craig Fagan suffered late heartbreak in his first game in charge yesterday.

The Shrimpers conceded twice in stoppage time to slump to a 3-1 defeat against Scunthorpe United in the Premier League Cup second round qualifier at Roots Hall.

But it was the first half performance which most frustrated Fagan.

“The first half wasn’t the start we spoke about in the changing room,” said Fagan.

“It was sloppy and we didn’t close down at the right tempo.

“We didn’t compete and I let the lads know that at half-time.

“They took it on board and played the way I like to see.

“They were competing and closing things down.

“We got rewarded by getting ourselves back in the game and to be fair we looked like we were the ones who were going to go on and win the game.

“But two sloppy goals cost us in the end.

“Two poor decisions let us down but if we started the game the way we started the second half I think we would’ve won the game.”