SOUTHEND United’s stuttering away from continued with a dismal 3-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers this afternoon.

The Shrimpers – who remain unbeaten at Roots Hall – have now triumphed just once in their last seven outings on the road.

And Phil Brown’s were easily brushed aside by their dominant hosts who would have secured a far greater victory had Mark Oxley not made a string of five saves.

Blues - who failed to register a single shot on target during a desperately disappointing display - were forced into making a change after just 13 minutes when Stephen McLaughlin limped off injured and was replaced on the left flank by Jermaine McGlashan.

And, just two minutes later, the Pirates went in front as Bodin beat Ryan Leonard to a bouncing ball inside the penalty area and lashed home a well struck shot from eight yards.

Moments later the Shrimpers wasted a golden chance to draw back level as McGlashan teed up an unmarked Josh Wright but the midfielder could only slice his effort wide of the right post.

A relieved Rovers soon hit back with Bodin volleying over before the hosts came even closer to scoring in the 30th minute when Ellis Harrison beat Anton Ferdinand to Liam Sercombe’s right wing cross – only to his effort impressively saved by Oxley.

Southend immediately replied with Leonard sending a dangerous right wing cross across the face of goal, with McGlashan failing to make contact at the far post.

And, in the 36th minute, Blues again came close to equalising when Stephen Hendrie’s left wing cross was missed by Rovers goalkeeper Adam Smith but Anthony Wordsworth failed to convert with referee Tom Nield adjudging the midfielder to have handled the ball.

After the break, Rovers threatened first with Harrison having a well struck shot gathered by Oxley at the second attempt before Shrimpers boss Brown responded by making a second change in the 59th minute as Nile Ranger replaced Marc-Antoine Fortune in attack.

However, Rovers remained on top with Lee Brown having a 25 yard free-kick well saved to his left hand side by Oxley before Bodin sent a low narrowly wide of the left upright.

Moments later, Joe Partingdon’s goalbound header was nodded to safety by Ranger before Tom Lockyer came within a whisker of making it 2-0 as his low effort flew inches wide of the right post.

In a bid to liven up his side, Brown made a third change in the 73rd minute with Amadou replacing Wright.

But Rovers still looked the livelier of the two teams and doubled their lead just two minutes later when Harrison netted with a low 20 yard shot which flew into the back of the net via the inside of the right post.

Moments later, Harrison saw a close range header superbly saved by Oxley before the Pirates completed the scoring in the 86th minute with Liam Sercombe firing home the rebound after Oxley had pushed out an effort from Rory Gaffney.