Simon Francis had sent in a trademark free-kick that was pushed away by Brighton keeper Peter Brezovan, but in the 15th minute Brighton's Lee Hendrie shot through a crowded Shrimper defence, the ball deflected off Ashley Barnes back to Inigo Calderon, whose follow-up shot was again deflected by Barnes, this time the ball finding the back of the net.
Game, set and match sadly, as for all the effort showed by the home side, and however the Roots Hall faithful tried to get behind their team, there was no real belief in the team they could rescue the situation.
Jean-Francois Christophe headed wide from a Francis free-kick when unmarked in front of goal and just after the break Scott Vernon hit the ball wide when Francis Laurent's hard and low cross from the wise deserved better.
Laurent had an even better chance later on, going on one of his mazy Bambi-like runs with the ball amazingly sticking to his feet, he went past Seagull defenders as if they didn't exsist, there was only Brezovan left, and he shot wide. Bless.
Brighton were doing their bit as they found the gaps on the counter attack.
Glen Murray beat Steve Mildenhall with a header but the home keeper was able to recover in time, and Andrew Crofts found himself in a good position, but wasted it clearing the bar.
Cheers for the substitute Harry Crawford, could become a regular once Vernon goes back, and his header was well saved by Brezovan.
A season of off-the-field dramas has finally caught up with them, and we will have to see that whoever lines up for the first match in League Two next term, will have the quality and the fight to gain promotion at the first attempt, presuming that lot will get paid on time.
Southend player markings: Mildenhall - 6, Francis - 6, M'voto - 6, Baldwin - 6, Christophe - 5 (Crawford 63 - 6), McCormack - 6, Moussa - 6, Laurent - 5, Vernon - 5 (Paterson 73 - 5).
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