SOUTHEND United signed off for 2017 with a 2-1 defeat against high-flying Shrewsbury Town this afternoon.

The second placed Shrews led to 2-0 at the break with an own goal from Ben Coker and a fine effort from Ben Godfrey putting the visitors in control at Roots Hall.

And, despite Ryan Leonard netting early in the second half, the Shrimpers were unable to get back into the game.

Blues had been hoping to build on their Boxing Day triumph against Charlton Athletic.

But boss Phil Brown was forced into making his first substitution after just 12 minutes as skipper Anton Ferdinand limped off injured and was replaced at the heart of the back four by John White.

But, six minutes later, the Shrews opened the scoring with Coker netting an own goal.

The Shrews broke forward down their left hand side after a slip from Jason Demetriou enabled Alex Rodman to stride forward before delivering a cross which Coker inadvertently headed past Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley from 12 yards.

The Shrimpers soon hit back with Nile Ranger heading straight at Shrews goalkeeper Dean Henderson before Stephen McLaughlin sent a right footed effort over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

Moments later, Simon Cox worked his way past Mat Sadler in the right hand side of the penalty area before seeing his cross diverted over his own crossbar by the Shrews James Bolton.

But, after surviving the scare, Shrewsbury hit back and doubled their lead in the 40th minute when a right wing corner from Shaun Whalley was headed out by Leonard into the path of Godfrey who – after being given far too much time and space – sent a fantastic 25 yard shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

Eight minutes after the break, the Shrimpers were forced into making a second substitution as Josh Wright limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and was replaced on the right flank on Jermaine McGlashan.

But, with 55 minutes on the clock, Blues got back in the game, with Leonard scoring his fourth goal of the season.

The midfielder was picked out by Stephen McLaughlin’s left wing corner and netted with a firm header at the near post.

And the Shrimpers should soon have drawn back level when Shrews goalkeeper Dean Henderson parried out a low shot from Simon Cox only for Nile Ranger to bundle the rebound straight at the on-loan Manchester United shot-stopper.

Five minutes from time, Blues boss Brown made his final change with Theo Robinson replacing Cox in attack but the home-side were unable to conjure up a late equaliser as they slipped to a fourth defeat in five games.