Angry Southend United fans have been ringing This Is Essex partner paper the Echo in a frenzy to complain about their side's pitiful performance against Darlington at Roots Hall.

The Shrimpers crashed to a second 2-1 home defeat in succession on Saturday against the Quakers, on a day when admission prices at the Seasiders' stadium increased by £1, which supporters say just is not good enough.

John Hollywood , of Willow Close, Canvey, is just one of a number of disgruntled Roots Hall spectators.

He said: "What we've got at Southend is another case of having a new manager with the same old problems again.

"Alan Little blamed the players for this latest defeat, but as the manager of the football club it is down to him to sort out the problem and get rid of these players.

"Southend will never go higher than they are now, they've got no chance of winning promotion and could even get relegated.

"They should have got David Webb back as manager when they had the chance and I'd also like to say that the price rises are disgusting."

Basildon-based fan Lee Somerfield felt that Darlington were the only team which showed true value for money at Roots Hall on Saturday.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Darlington for the extra £1's worth of entertainment," he said.

"Following another poor display, I believe it is time to fine Southend's players £100 for every additional £1 us supporters have to pay-out.

"Then we can use this money to buy the players we need to win promotion to the Second Division.

"I also think our players should be locked in a room and forced to watch this shameful display and any other similar performances in the future."

Long-time Blues follower, Mr T Porter , of The Fairway, Leigh, was another fan who slammed his team.

"Southend were disgusting against Darlington and the club should stop the players' wages for a least a month," he blasted.

"I would also like to remind Alan Little that we are only 15 points away from relegation into non-league football.

"As a supporter of this club for more than 40 years, I think I deserve better and I would ask Mr Little to get his finger out and do something about the situation very quickly."

Nick Eves , of Southend Road, Southend, is unhappy about goalkeeper Mel Capleton being replaced by new signing Mark Prudhoe.

"Alan Little's decision to drop Capleton is an absolute disgrace," he said.

"Mel is the best young player we've had for a long time and he looks ready to follow in the footsteps of Simon Royce.

"But Little has decided to drop him for an old and unathletic man, which was there for everyone to see against Darlington.

"I certainly won't be visiting Roots Hall again until Capleton is back in the team, because he is a class above Prudhoe."

Another Mr Eves , of Craven Close, Rochford, was in full agreement with his namesake.

"I've been a Southend supporter for nearly 50 years and I can't believe Mel Capleton has been dropped," he added.

"He's good on the ground and very comfortable with crosses, and he's helped us win games we could have lost this season."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.