RYAN Leonard and Phil Brown were both sent off as Southend United slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Bradford City at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The setback – which was the Shrimpers’ first in the League at Roots Hall – came after Charlie Wyke netted a stoppage time penalty.

And the striker’s spot-kick also meant Blues have now suffered three successive setbacks.

Bradford began brightly and, with just four minutes on the clock, Matthew Kilgallon charged forward before teeing up Dominic Poleon with a defence splitting pass but the striker’s effort was superbly parried to safety by Mark Oxley.

Moments later, Oxley pushed a low 20 yard shot from Tyrell Robinson wide of the left post but City remained on top and broke the deadlock in the ninth minute with Poleon on target.

The Bantams forward – who started his career as a youngster in Southend’s youth set-up – was picked out by a right wing cross from Nicky Law and sent a simple close range shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net from close range.

In reply, the Shrimpers wasted a golden chance to equalise in the 23rd minute when Stephen McLaughlin’s left wing cross picked out Anthony Wordsworth just eight yards out but the unmarked midfielder could only send his header straight at Bradford goalkeeper Rouven Sattellmaier.

McLaughlin then saw a deflected effort fly wide of the left post before Nile Ranger saw a goalbound effort blocked by Kilgallon in the opening action of the second half.

John White then stabbed Jason Demetriou’s right wing cross straight at Sattemaier from 12 yards before the visitors were forced into making their second change of the afternoon with former Blues defender Adam Thompson replacing the injured Nathaniel Knight-Percival.

Shortly after the change, Blues skipper Leonard curled a long range effort straight at Sattelmaier before the home-side made their first substitution in the 63rd minute with Marc-Antoine Fortune replacing Wordsworth.

Six minutes later came Southend’s second change as Jermaine McGlashan came on for Timlin And just six minutes after his introduction McGlashan helped Blues draw back level as his delightful, deep right wing cross was headed home at the far post by McLaughlin from inside the six yard box.

Bradford came close to immediately regaining the lead when Shay McCartan shot inches wide of the right post before Charlie Wyke saw his header cleared off the goal-line by Jason Demetriou But the Bantams were not to be denied a late winner and it came in dramatic circumstances right at the death as referee Keith Stroud pointed to the spot after adjudging Leonard to have brought down Law.

Leonard was shown a second yellow card for the challenge and Wyke made the most of the opportunity as he drilled his spot-kick down the centre of the goal.

Blues boss Brown was then immediately sent to the stands for protesting against a free-kick in the build up to the penalty.

And Bradford nearly added a third right at the death with Oxley doing brilliantly to deny McCartan.