Southend United boss Steve Wignall sympathised with young defender David McSweeney after his late error condemned Blues to a 1-0 defeat at struggling Boston yesterday afternoon.

With six minutes remaining at York Street, the 21-year-old's weak back-header forced Shrimpers goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan to send Pilgrims striker David Town sprawling on the edge of the six-yard box.

And Boston winger Mark Angel slotted home the resulting penalty, boosting his side's Third Division survival chances and stretching Southend's woeful away run to eight defeats on the bounce.

"I felt sorry for David and he was distraught in the changing room after the match," said Wignall, who was taking charge of his first away match.

"It was cruel on David as he was having a good game. He just never managed to get enough on the header back. Darryl then brought down their player in a race for the ball, but he can't be blamed for giving away the penalty.

"There's never an easy time to lose, especially to a late goal, and I felt disappointed for all of my players as they had worked very hard.

"I don't want to make excuses, but the conditions were atrocious. The pitch was very hard and bumpy and their lads were moaning about it as well."

Wignall admitted he now realised just how tough a job he has on his hands lifting Blues out of the basement league doldrums.

"I realise the size of the task I face now and it is slightly bigger than I originally thought," he said.

"We have a lot of inexperienced players in the side and there is a lot of work to do to turn Southend into a team which can challenge for promotion next season."

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Published Tuesday, April 22, 2003

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