SOUTHEND United defender Andy Edwards admitted his glaring miss helped contribute to the Shrimpers 2-0 reverse at Boston last night.

A double from the Pilgrims Andy Kirk handed the home-side a vital victory but only after Edwards had somehow skied a simple two yard shot over a gaping goal. "I don't know how I missed it," confessed the centre back. " "It did surprise me that the keeper dropped the ball but I guess it was a typical finish from a defender. It was a great opportunity though and I should have done better.

"Nine times out of ten I think even my grandmother would have scored it so I'm very disappointed and if it had gone in then maybe the game may have gone differently."

And the experienced Edwards, who replaced Spencer Prior in the Seasiders starting line up, added he was also frustrated to have seen Steve Tilson's side suffer their first defeat of the new year.

"The first goal we gave away was sloppy," he confirmed. "The second was well worked but it was a bad game from our point of view."