Southend United defender Nathan Jones struggled to explain his side's latest Roots Hall setback, following Monday's 2-1 home reverse against new Third Division leaders Rotherham United.

Two goals from Millers hitman Leo Fortune-West, either side of a consolation strike from the Shrimpers' Nigel Pepper against his former club, condemned the Seasiders to yet another barren afternoon on their own patch.

Southend have now failed to clock up a Roots Hall success in five League attempts, which has seen them take one point from a possible 15, a set of dreadful statistics the 26-year-old left-back found hard to clarify.

"We just can't seem to win at home, which is something we need to put right as soon as possible," said the Welshman.

"It's hard to put my finger on one reason why we keep failing at Roots Hall, although I think it is clear we are not playing to our capabilities.

"We didn't start very well against Rotherham and seemed to sit back, but by the time we decided to get going we were two goals behind, which gave us a mountain to climb. One thing we can't do is give teams like Rotherham this sort of advantage and then try and fight back, we should be taking the initiative at home, not the opposition."

However, Jones said Blues' home form won't improve until they iron out the defensive errors which have been plaguing them all season.

Goalkeeper Mark Prudhoe had a game he will want to forget against the Millers, as he was left badly caught out for both goals, mistakes which are costing Southend dear.

"We keep shooting ourselves in the foot by making bad mistakes, which we can't expect to get away with," added Jones.

"It seems that we're getting punished for every individual error we make and until we sort this problem out we will continue to struggle.

"If we can get it right at home we have a great chance of being involved in the promotion shake-up because our away-form has been quite good.

"But our results at Roots Hall are robbing us of a place at the top of the table."

Southend boss Alan Little promised his players another hard slog on the training pitch this week as they try to come to terms with their latest disaster.

"We had a problem winning games at home at the end of last season and it is happening again now, which has to be sorted out," said the Seasiders chief.

"Too many of my lads were below par against Rotherham and we will be addressing the situation in training this week, which is all we can do.

"But overall I thought we gave Rotherham far too much of the ball in crucial areas and allowed them to take the initiative too easily.

"Although, all three goals in this game were down to goalkeeping mistakes on both sides, which have cost us dearly yet again."

Little added that his players need to find a cure for their terminal home form as soon as possible.

"There is a very high expectancy level at this club to do well and my players need to come to terms with this," he said.

"I don't know if they feel added tension at Roots Hall, but if they do they have got to cope with it."

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