Missed chances condemn Shrimpers to another away defeat

After 80-plus succesive starts the Moose finally got his rest, as Tilly decided to play Macca and Jeff in central midfield and keep the wide option up front leaving Scott Vernon a little lonesome. Not sure fellow loanee Sanchez Watt knew where he was meant to slot in though.

The back four remained as it was against Tranmere with Captain Adam at left back, no problem with that, Jean-Yves M'Voto had his best game since returning, but maybe he should have taken the taller guy Wilbraham up front for Dons as Pat Baldwin was beaten in the air more than usual.

Anyway, the game, and it was more frustration for the Yellow shirted Blues.

On a pitch that was cutting up a touch as the overnight freeze thawed out Southend took the game to an apprehensive Dons side after their five goal thrashing in Cumbria last week.

This showed with the crowd who sat in silence until they took the lead in the magnificent stadium:mk, wasted on the Franchise.

Early waves of Shrimper attacks led by a hard working Alan McCormack, saw a perfect Damien Scannell cross from the right just missing Macca who had burst into the box, it allowed Vernon the chance but his shot was well saved by MK shot stopper Willy Gueret.

From the resulting corner more mayhem caused inside the Dons penalty area allowing Vernon another shot on goal, not as good this time, and the ball was easily rescued by Gueret.

Sadly, on 18 minutes, what the travelling faithful have come to expect duly happened.

Returning top scorer Jermaine Easter turned provider as he was allowed to roam down the right wing, look up, and with at least five Yellow shirts all in a line close to Steve Mildenhall's goal, and no one picking up the oncoming Mark Carrington, passed the ball right into the midfielders path and it was 1-0. As easy as that.

Back came the Blues as they always do. A free-kick on the edge of Dons penalty area allowed Simon Francis to deliver a lovely free-kick that deserved more than just smashing off the right hand post and returning into the field of play.

I looked to the heavens, 'Just score, just bloody score', it was going to be another of those away days.

James Tunnicliffe reminded us the Berks based side were very much in the game, his shot taking a deflection that saved a possible second, for only the ball to return to the other end and a cracking Francis cross that should have had someone on the end of it, especially Christophe's head, but it flew harmlessly by.

Francis Laurent didn't help by trying his bag of tricks, nothing wrong with that, but not in his own half, and not just outside the 12-yard box. He lost the ball in a very dangerous area but luckily for Southend the resulting cross was cleared for a Franchise corner.

It was certainly an open game as the action returned to the other end and M'Voto did well to block a Chadwick strike.

Then it was Gureret who once again denied Vernon, three times at the Franchise this season and on his way to a third defeat, he must hate the place, the Dons keeper stretching himself to make a great save from the striker on loan from Essex rivals ColU.

Easter closed the half shooting over the bar after Christophe had lost possession in his own half, and everyone was able to take stock.

As the news came through that Lee Barnard had opened his account for Southampton at Norwich with a close range header, thanks Barney there going to be up for it now Tuesday, it was obvious to all what the Shrimpers were missing after another round of decent chances had gone begging, and there was worse to come in the second period.

And I don't mean Milton Keynes getting a second straight after the restart. Which they did. Carrington allowed to stroll through acres of open space that should have been filled with Southend defenders to give Big Steve no chance.

Not surprisingly this hurt the away side and for a while Dons passed the ball around with ease, Townsend from 20 yards saw his shot well held onto by Mildy.

It was Scannell who got them going again as he went past a couple of Dons defenders, found himself in the box, and sadly blasted the ball over the bar.

Laurent, who was continuing to go through a miserable time, was put out of his misery by Tilly bringing on Paterson. A sound move as Vernon was winning the odd ball but the knock-ons' were going to no one.

Entering the last quarter a brilliant save by Mildy from Tunnicliffe kept the Shrimpers in the game which they should have taken advantage of with Vernon missing a real sitter after a perfect pass from Scannell, miscuing from close range allowing the ball to fall into the relieved hands of Gueret.

Of course, it's Shrimpers law on their travels this season, MK went down the pitch and got their third with ten minutes left. Big Steve saving well from Easter but the ball fell invitingly to Andros Townsend who said thanks very much.

More substitutions as the Moose saw some action after all, and he had a decent effort himself that he struck wide, along with Dougie Freedman, yet it was all too late.

Matt Paterson did follow up his first goal in a Southend shirt in last Wednesday's reserve game with one for the first team; a hard, low strike in the 89th minute.

The Shrimpers support, who had sung their hearts out throughout the second half, deserve more, much more. And quite a few will be at Carrow Road in midweek.

However, without someone to finish off all the good work that creates so many decent chances the afternoons may be getting lighter, but they'll remain dark for Southend United.