Oh dear, we expected some inconsistancy from a team created on the hoof from journeymen and non-league youngsters, but even the bluest of blue supporter was taken by surprise by the poor defensive display on offer at Roots Hall Saturday afternoon, and we thought the problems were up front!
First the two changes made by boss Paul Sturrock from last week's defeat at Northampton and both expected.
Loanee Michael Timlin replaced the injured Craig Easton in midfield, while upfront the ariel power of Barry Corr was preferred to wideboy Louie Soares.
Centre-back Chris Barker skippered the side with Easton out.
There was some early Shrimpers pressure mixed in with the odd Morecambe break but nothing to suggest we would get five goals in the game.
Barry Corr certainly put himself around during the match, but his header from a Sean Clohessy cross was easily saved by the Shrimp shot stopper Barry Roche, then a few minutes later the right back sent in another that Ryan Hall decided to head wide.
Howver, it was the bottom-of-the-table club Morecambe that took the lead in the 21st minute, a long Tony Capaldi throw from the left hand side was not cleared and Chris Shuker teed up Stewart Drummond whose shot found the top of the net from eight yards out.
Once again though it was Anthony Grant who showed the forwards what to do, his fourth in four league games, when just a minute late he drived forward and with the Shrimp keeper moving into the centre, drove a low strike into where Roche had been seconds before.
Roache is a tall guy but he looked like a dwarf with the accuracy and power of the shot giving him no chance.
The game was there to be taken for the Essex boys, but in the 26th minute Morecambe produced some good movement out on the left as a long pass found Mark Duffy on the opposite side, and his excellent deep cross found Paul Mullin at the back post who said thanks very much and headed past Blues keeper Glenn Morris.
Some felt he should have come off his line but credit where it's due, it was a terrific cross, Corr must have applauding inside, and hoping he would get some similar service from his wide men.
Then referee Russell followed up his Swindon show from last season with more strange decisions, this time showing Shuker only a yellow card when he clearly kicked out at Bilel Mohsni.
Hall had a trio of free-kicks before the half ended; Corr heading the first wide of the left post, then a straight shot which curled just past the upright, and finally Roche saving well low to his left after another Hall drive.
Though a Mullin header was kept out by Morris, the chat around the Hall at half-time was a belief that the game could be won, and when only five minutes into the second half a Timlin free-kick was nodded towards goal by Mohsni, enabling Corr to out-jump Roche, not easy, and head home from six yards, that confidence looked as if it would be proved correct.
And Timlin, who looks a class act with a fine left foot and should do well in his month replacing Captain Craig, came very close to giving the Shrimpers the lead with a shot from 25 yards.
At the other end Mullin volleyed wide from the edge of the penalty area just to remind Southend they were in a game before Corr again saw his header kept out by the legs of Roche!
A shot from distance by Hall was pushed out wide by Roche after the hour mark and it felt only a matter of time before Luggy's side would take the lead, however it was not to be and the visitors were the team that grabbed the goal to go in front for the third and final time.
Mullin played the ball across in to the path of substitute Jimmy Spencer in the 73rd minute who struck a low drive into the bottom left hand corner of the net to shock the home support and bring joy to the small but vocal band of Shrimps who had made the long journey south.
The cry was for Scott Spencer and Matt Paterson to bring life into an attack that had run out of ideas, especially the ineffectual Blair Sturrock who didn't have many in the first place.
However, Blair's daddy brought on the equally poor Louie Soares and a left-back, Johnny Herd, who long throw or not didn't seem the answer in the circumstances.
And when Scott did come on it was with four minutes left and the game was lost, as is the enthusiasm of a majority of the Blues faithful as two poor defeats have followed the three consequtive wins with only Grant and Timlin looking as if they could raise the level of Southend's football.
Fitness levels was not the problem this time.
Southend Player Markings: Morris - 5, Clohessy - 5, Mohnsi - 5, Barker - 5, Gilbert - 5 (Herd 76 - 5), Simpson - 5 (Spencer 86), Timlin - 6, Grant - 7, Hall - 5, Sturrock - 4 (Soares 76 - 4), Corr - 6.
Referee - Mr. M. Russell - 5.Npower League Two, Saturday, 18th September 2010 @ 15:00 
2 
Grant 22
Corr 50Drummond 21
Mullin 26
Spencer 73
Starting Line-ups 1 Morris 3 Gilbert (Herd 76) 23 Barker 6 Bilel 2 Clohessy 4 Simpson (Spencer 86) 12 Hall 19 Timlin 7 Grant 21 Sturrock (Soares 76) 10 Corr Substitutes 17 Soares (Sturrock 76) 5 Coughlan 9 Paterson 18 Herd (Gilbert 76) 14 Bouzid 24 Evans 28 Spencer (Simpson 86) 55.9% Possession 44.1% 2 Goal Attempts 3 2 On Target 3 0 Off Target 0 0 Hit Woodwork 0 11 Corners 1 Starting Line-ups 1 Roche 22 Parrish 28 Haining 15 McCready 26 Capaldi 16 Drummond 29 Brown 18 Duffy 9 Shuker (Spencer 61) 8 Hunter 21 Mullin Substitutes 4 Scott 31 Walker 17 Fleming 7 Rundle 14 Spencer (Shuker 61) 5 Bentley 6 Stanley Referee Mike Russell Attendance 5,106 Southend Utd. Cards (none) Morecambe Cards Shuker 31 Unsporting behaviour Capaldi 38 Unsporting behaviour Haining 45+2 Unsporting behaviour