Southend United's second-string crumbled to a humiliating Roots Hall defeat against a very young Swindon Town side yesterday afternoon.

Blues' patched up reserve team included four young trialists, giant West Ham goalkeeper Nick Morgan, Norwich City right-back Danny Self, Wimbledon centre-half Sam Kola Okikiolu and Leicester City forward Brett Darby.

Leading by example - Blues reserve manager Steve Tilson shields the ball Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

But the quartet made little impression during this capitulation, with Okikiolu, brought into the club by new coach Stewart Robson, suffering a torrid time at the back.

And it was the 21-year-old's poor 31st minute back pass which allowed Robins winger Darren Dykes to pick out lively striker Alan Young who opened the scoring from six-yards.

Blues equalised seven minutes after the restart when Barrington Belgrave dummied Darby's right-wing cross for fit again frontman Mark Salter to square things up from close range.

But it only took Swindon five minutes to regain their lead as Young was given the freedom of Southend's penalty area to bundle home Tom Newry's right flank free-kick at the back post.

Robins midfielder James Cheeseman rattled the Shrimpers' crossbar with a thunderous 20-yard effort on the hour.

Ten minutes later, Morgan's rushed clearance hit Blues defender Tom Jordan and ricocheted into the path of visiting front-runner Mark Draycott, who lashed the ball back into the net from 15-yards.

And the rout was completed five minutes from time, when Young completed a deserved hat-trick by heading Nathan Edwards' corner through Neil Jenkins' legs on the goal-line.

Published Tuesday, January 28, 2003

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