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It's not as if United have been unlucky in these matches, although to be fair the did have the misfortune of coming face-to-face with referee Mark Cowburn on this occassion, but the simple truth is that Southend have just not been good enough. By no stretch of the imagination are teams like Darlington a better side than United, but the Shrimpers are not playing to win at the moment.
It seems that boss Newman is more than happy to pick up a goalless draw from every match at the moment - including home fixtures - which is such an incredibly reiculous approach it defies belief, but I don't think that there is any doubt that Rob Newman is walking a tightrope, and defeat at home to Boston United in two weeks time, in what would unbelievably be a seveth home reverse would surely, would surely see Newman dismissed.
Southend's players now need to stand up and be counted if they are to get themselves out of the situation that they are in and there is no doubt that changes need to be made. But Newman seems very reluctant to drop some of his major problem players, like lazy midfielder Kevin Maher and slippery-fingered goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan.
Southend maybe had the better of the second period in this fixture played on a very soggy pitch, but after goalkeeper Michael Ingham had dealt with Jay Smith's early free kick it was most certainly the home side who enjoyed the best of a dull first half.
In only the eighth minute of the match however the Quakers were awarded what looked to be a very harsh penalty with Flahavan picked out as the culprit. However 19-year old Clark Kelties terribly struck spot kick was easy for a greatful Flahavan.
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Ex-Southend frontman Barry Conlon, who seems to have a vendetta against his former Club and indeed helped win the early penalty, headed a dangerous Neil Wainwright cross over the bar before a Southend half chance saw Barrington Belgrave knock a Tony Scully centre wide of the post.
Darlington took the lead on 37 minutes in rather bizarre circumstances. Following a blatant foul on Belgrave referee Cowburn waved a Southend advantage, but there never was one as the home side promptly broke away and won a corner and the resulting Ashley Nicholls flag kick was comprehensively volleyed home by, of all people, the completely unmarked Conlon from 15 yards. However if that seemed incredible, the Quakers advantage was nearly doubled in amazing fashion as Shrimpers defender David McSweeney slammed a Wainwright cross against the foot of the post.
A dour opening to the second half was suddenly livened-up in the 61st minute when Southend won a very debatable penalty, Maher going down very easily inside the area, but Tes Bramble, who put his last penalty - against York City - wide of the post, this time blazed his spot kick high over Ingham's crossbar to the disbelief of the travelling supporters. Then, seven minutes later linesman Ian Storrie denied thre Shrimpers, harshly flagging substitute Graeme Jones offside when he stabbed home a Maher free kick.
Jay Smith nodded a Maher centre straight at Ingham following good work by Bramble before Scully volleyed a Mark Beard cross into the arms of the home custodian.
As Southend eventually began to come forward however, they became vulnerable at the back and Conlon had already seen a fierced shot deflected inches over the bar by Leon Cort before the home side caught United on the break and Nicholls was found unmarked in the area before smashing a shot past Flahavan to put the game beyond all doubt.
Southend had a late rally, and pulled a goal back in injury time when Smith cross was brilliantly rifled into the top rigfht hand corner by Bramble, but unfortunately it was by far too little, by far too late by then.
Things must chage...
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com