Blues boss Steve Tilson decided to keep the side that started the game against Northampton but ended up seeing a game that was almost a carbon copy of the Good Friday home defeat to MK Dons.
Southend created the two best chances of a first half notable for a lack of goalmouth action but full of interest nether the less.
The first came after 40 minutes when striker Theo Robinson went closest to breaking the deadlock. His low 20-yard effort was turned round the right post for a corner by a diving David Stockdale.
The Blues followed it up four minutes later when a Simon Francis free-kick from the right was flicked on by Lee Barnard to Peter Clarke at the back post, but he could only half-volley over the bar from eight yards.
Leicester's best opening came after six minutes when Max-Alain Gradel teed up Lloyd Dyer but the winger saw his shot blocked by Clarke.
There was no doubt that the in-form home side would have felt they had the measure of the league leaders at half time.
Southend picked up from where they left off after half-time with Barnard's brilliant flick finding Robinson, who blasted the ball against the crossbar in the 48th minute. Oh Theo, just a touch of subtlety but their, a few of us felt, was the turning point in the match.
Two minutes later the woodwork came to the Shrimpers' rescue after Foxes striker Matty Fryatt burst into the centre of the box, rounded goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall but saw his shot hit the right post from an acute angle.
Tilly then replaced central midfielder Jean-Francois Christophe with Anthony Grant, but he only lasted three minutes before being stretchered off the pitch following an aerial clash with City skipper Matt Oakley that left him having stitches.
This was missed by referee Clive Penton, in his last season and let's be thankful for that, as when Macca was kicked at right in front of him, not even a word with anyone, unbelivable!
After all this it was Leicester who broke the deadlock in the 60th minute and, inevitably, Penton had to be involved. He decided to give an outrageous penalty for handball against Francis, the ball spinning back so hard there was no way he could do anything about it but it looked like the shoulder anyway!
Fryatt confidently fired his spot-kick low to the right, with Mildenhall diving the opposite direction, to spark celebrations from the 2,141 visiting fans, although Fryatt was booked for over-celebrating his 30th goal of the season.
The Shrimpers blew a great chance to equalise when Barnard headed straight at Stockdale from a Francis free-kick.
And that error was punished in the 70th minute when Fryatt bagged his second of the match.
Dyer's curling free-kick from the right bounced back off the crossbar and Fryatt headed home from close range.
The Shrimpers pressed to find a way back in the match but were unable to find the vital goal.
With Scunthorpe and Tranmere both losing Southend can only feel frustration at how the afternoon went but can take heart from a strong performance that only gives hope for next season, as long as the majority of this squad can be kept together with one or two notable inclusions.
Tilly was obviously upset at how the game turned and his post match reaction can be read here:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1631447,00.html
Southend created the two best chances of a first half notable for a lack of goalmouth action but full of interest nether the less.
The first came after 40 minutes when striker Theo Robinson went closest to breaking the deadlock. His low 20-yard effort was turned round the right post for a corner by a diving David Stockdale.
The Blues followed it up four minutes later when a Simon Francis free-kick from the right was flicked on by Lee Barnard to Peter Clarke at the back post, but he could only half-volley over the bar from eight yards.
Leicester's best opening came after six minutes when Max-Alain Gradel teed up Lloyd Dyer but the winger saw his shot blocked by Clarke.
There was no doubt that the in-form home side would have felt they had the measure of the league leaders at half time.
Southend picked up from where they left off after half-time with Barnard's brilliant flick finding Robinson, who blasted the ball against the crossbar in the 48th minute. Oh Theo, just a touch of subtlety but their, a few of us felt, was the turning point in the match.
Two minutes later the woodwork came to the Shrimpers' rescue after Foxes striker Matty Fryatt burst into the centre of the box, rounded goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall but saw his shot hit the right post from an acute angle.
Tilly then replaced central midfielder Jean-Francois Christophe with Anthony Grant, but he only lasted three minutes before being stretchered off the pitch following an aerial clash with City skipper Matt Oakley that left him having stitches.
This was missed by referee Clive Penton, in his last season and let's be thankful for that, as when Macca was kicked at right in front of him, not even a word with anyone, unbelivable!
After all this it was Leicester who broke the deadlock in the 60th minute and, inevitably, Penton had to be involved. He decided to give an outrageous penalty for handball against Francis, the ball spinning back so hard there was no way he could do anything about it but it looked like the shoulder anyway!
Fryatt confidently fired his spot-kick low to the right, with Mildenhall diving the opposite direction, to spark celebrations from the 2,141 visiting fans, although Fryatt was booked for over-celebrating his 30th goal of the season.
The Shrimpers blew a great chance to equalise when Barnard headed straight at Stockdale from a Francis free-kick.
And that error was punished in the 70th minute when Fryatt bagged his second of the match.
Dyer's curling free-kick from the right bounced back off the crossbar and Fryatt headed home from close range.
The Shrimpers pressed to find a way back in the match but were unable to find the vital goal.
With Scunthorpe and Tranmere both losing Southend can only feel frustration at how the afternoon went but can take heart from a strong performance that only gives hope for next season, as long as the majority of this squad can be kept together with one or two notable inclusions.
Tilly was obviously upset at how the game turned and his post match reaction can be read here:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1631447,00.html