Southend United midfielder Kevin Maher's future was the main topic of conversation, following Blues' 2-1 Third Division defeat at Leyton Orient last night.

Coming or going? -- Blues' Kevin Maher tussles with former colleague Carl Hutchings last night but might soon be joining him at Orient. Picture: Luan Marshall 7ZAV238C

First-half goals from O's hitmen Kevin Nugent and Iyseden Christie were enough to sink the Shrimpers, who netted a consolation strike through Brian Barry-Murphy after the break.

But it was the east Londoners' hopes of capturing Maher, who has turned down a new Roots Hall deal, which became the centre of attention after the final whistle.

O's boss Paul Brush, a former Southend defender, admitted he was desperate to recruit the 25-year-old, who will be available on a Bosman free transfer during the summer.

But he denied there was cash on the table to take Maher to Orient before the end of the season.

"Kevin is a quality player and to be honest I'd have liked to have locked him up at Brisbane Road and stopped him from going back to Southend," he said.

"I'd love to have him here right away, but all we can do until the summer is meet his personal terms."

However, Shrimpers chief Rob Newman hit back, claiming Orient would be wasting their time unless they put their hands in their pockets.

"If Orient want Kevin now they can buy him, otherwise they will wait and offer him ridiculous wages at the end of the season which we just can't compete with," he said.

"Kevin knows I want him to stay, but it's a fact of life that money talks."

Maher himself has said he wants to stay with the Shrimpers and the cultured midfielder gave another good passing display at Brisbane Road.

But he could not help his struggling side improve on a dismal sequence of just one success in their last 11 matches.

And reflecting on another disappointing defeat, which left Blues still searching for their first away win since the 1-0 triumph at Rochdale back in December, Newman added: "It was definitely a game of two halves.

"We gave away two sloppy goals during the first period, which you wouldn't see on a Sunday morning park pitch.

"But we changed things around at half-time and started to press Orient more after the break."

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Published Wednesday, March 13, 2002