Southend United manager Rob Newman was left to reflect on a poor defensive display following Saturday's 4-1 hammering at Scunthorpe.
Blues old boy Martin Carruthers opened the scoring, before Shrimpers midfielder Jay Smith netted a stunning individual equaliser.
It's not my day - Daniel Gay cannot believe his luck as Scunthorpe dish out Blues' heaviest defeat of the season Picture: ROB BROWNE
But the Iron, who moved into the automatic promotion places after this goal feast, breezed to victory with further strikes from midfielders Ian Kilford and Alex Calvo-Garcia, plus substitute hitman Paul Hayes.
"Our defending was very sloppy and we could have let in seven or eight," groaned Newman.
"It is very disappointing because we had looked solid at the back during the previous three games, which had seen us clock up maximum points.
"But we were never bright enough to deal with certain situations against Scunthorpe and got punished for failing to come alive when they put dead balls into our box.
"It didn't help us losing David McSweeney at centre-half before the game with a foot injury.
"I had to shuffle things about to accommodate for his loss, but we are down to the bare bones at the back and missed his extra pace and ability to read the game."
More on Southend United FC
What are your views on Southend? Have your say on our Views on the Blues bulletin board.
Published Monday, January 27, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article