Southend 2 United 1

Southend: Morris; Clohessy, Moshni, Barker, Gilbert, Simpson, Grant, Easton, Hall (Coughlin 84), Soares (Paterson 76), Sturrock. Subs: Bouzid, James-Lewis, Zaaboub, Evans, Spencer.

Goals: Grant, Simpson

United: Bevan; Robertson, Ellis, Branston, Nicholson, Carlisle (O'Kane 86), Wroe (c), Mansell, Stevens (Gritton 46), Benyon (Kee 68), Zebroski. Subs: Potter, Charnock, Lathrope, Macklin.

Goals: Zebroski

Yellow Card: Zebroski, Mansell

Att: 5,505 (386 away)

United were beaten fairly enough by Southend at Roots Hall but with their 100% League 2 record now lost the journey home to complete over 1,200 miles of away travel in the last seven days will be a subdued affair. A late surge wasn't quite enough to pull back a two goal deficit but with the Gulls still sitting very healthily in second place in League 2 the squad will dust themselves down and look very positively toward the visit of Accrington Stanley to Plainmoor next Saturday.

Bucks selected the same eleven who began the Port Vale victory last weekend and they created a good early chance when some positive work by Chris Zebroski down the left gave Elliot Benyon a sight at goal but his shot wasn't powerful enough to trouble Morris in the Southend goal.

A positive start to the match by both teams but it was Southend who took a hold on the match with United giving the ball away a little too easily and the Gulls fell behind on the quarter hour mark. A corner from the right for Southend was met by Lee Mansell but his clearing header only fell to Grant on the edge of United's area and the Southend midfielder struck a fine right foot shot that gave Scott Bevan no chance.

Goal: Southend (Grant 14) United 0

It was the first time this season in League 2 that the Gulls had fallen behind but there was plenty of time to put things right.

United weren't at their very best during the opening exchanges although Wayne Carlisle was put in down the right by Elliot Benyon but his early-taken effort was narrowly wide of the home goal.

The Gulls' defence was certainly seeing more of the ball than the attacking departments and as the half hour point was passed the home side were enjoying a sustained period of pressure with Scott Bevan having to make a smart save low down to keep United just a goal behind.

As the first half drew to a close United began to have some possession of their own and after some head tennis in and around the Southend penalty area the ball fell kindly for Mark Ellis but his shot from 12 yards hit the crossbar and went to safety.

Unfortunately, things were going to get worse before they got better. A loose ball fell in midfield to Simpson who got through two challenging United players before striking a 25 yard shot that beat Scott Bevan low down inside the right hand post, it was a good finish but United will be disappointed with the way the goal came about.

Goal: Southend 2 (Simpson 44) United 0

Bucks made a change at the break with Martin Gritton replacing Danny Stevens, this meant a swap from the right wing to the left for Wayne Carlisle with Chris Zebroski slotting back into the right wing berth leaving Gritts to partner Elliot Benyon up front.

Despite the change in formation by United it was Southend who again looked the more dangerous side and they caught the Gulls on the break with Hall flashing an effort just wide of Scott Bevan's goal.

The start of the match had been an end-to-end high tempo period but the beginning of the second half saw little change in the dynamic of the match that had seen the Gulls fall two goals behind and as the minutes ticked by United's task of getting back into the match looked slim.

Chris Zebroski almost took everyone by surprise with a first-time effort that had Morris beaten but it also evaded the right hand post from 12 yards. This started another mini-period of pressure for the Gulls with Mark Ellis striking the post with a header and from the resultant open play Kevin Nicholson hit the crossbar. United won a corner but on this occasion Mark Ellis was offside at the far post and the chances passed.

Billy Kee was sent on to replace Elliot Benyon in a straight swap and Billy almost made a quick impact when he got between the Southend centre backs but his header wasn't powerful enough to test Morris who gathered easily.

Eventually, United's hard work and effort brought dividends; a quickfire shot from Martin Gritton took Morris in the home goal completely by surprise but yet again the ball hit the woodwork, thankfully Chris Zebroski was on his marks and slotted the ball home to give the Gulls a lifeline.

Goal: Southend 2 United 1 (Zebroski 78)

Moments after the goal Nicky Wroe was inches away from equalising after getting on the end of a Wayne Carlisle cross but the ball seemed to hit a bobble just as the Gulls' skipper was pulling the trigger and the moment went.

Now United had a head of steam and the home side suddenly started to look as desperate as they had at anytime during the match with the Gulls throwing everything at them. Four minutes of added time gave United another burst of energy and they had no other thought now but to pump the ball forward and get numbers into the Southend area.

Chris Zebroski was denied a headed goal by a scrambling full length save by Morris just as it looked like the ball was going inside the far post for an amazing comeback. Lee Mansell was booked right at the death as he did his best to try and win the ball back for United but it was one tackle too many for the referee and the Gulls midfielder saw yellow.

Had the match seen another five minutes of action who knows what United may have conjured up? This wasn't United at their best by a long shot and there will be some tired legs getting back on to the team coach for the trip back to Devon. This defeat should be seen as a blip in what has been a magnificent start to the season and all eyes now look to Plainmoor next weekend and the visit of Accrington.