Shot-shy Southend United suffered yet another setback at Roots Hall on Saturday as high flying Doncaster Rovers completed the double over the struggling Shrimpers with a 2-0 victory at Roots Hall.

Goals from Leo Fortune West and the lively Michael McIndoe, inside the opening seven minutes of the match, secured another three points for a Rovers side who now sit second in the Division Three standings.

On the run - but Michael Kightly couldn't get his side back into the game Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

But, in stark contrast to Dave Penney's promotion-pushing outfit, the lowly Blues have now lost more games at home than other any basement league side and currently sit just one place and three points above the dreaded drop zone.

Adding to the Seasiders' worries was the fact that relegation rivals Carlisle and Darlington both picked up points over the weekend, while a frustrating failure to finish in front of goal is, once again, threatening to ruin the Shrimpers season.

Striker Tes Bramble has now gone seven games without scoring.

And fellow forward Leon Constantine has not netted in more than 450 minutes of action for a Southend team who have failed to win any of the their last five games.

Bramble did come close to getting on the score-sheet against Doncaster however - as did defender Leon Cort - but the duo were both thwarted in fine style by the excellent visiting custodian Andy Warrington.

And his fine stops meant the Blues were made to pay for their sluggish start to the afternoon as a quickfire Donny double saw the Belle Vue side record their second successive victory.

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Published Monday January 19, 2004

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