SOUTHEND United's hopes of a play-off place were dented by a 2-0 defeat at Oldham Athletic tonight.

The Shrimpers enjoyed long spells of possession against the Latics at Boundary Park but struggled to create clear cut chances.

And Kevin Maher’s side were punished at the other end of the field as a mistake from goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi gifted Alex Reid the game's opening goal before substitute Ellis Chapman completed the scoring in the second half.

After a quiet start to the game Blues came close to taking the lead when Harry Cardwell curled a 20 yard shot inches wide of the right post.

And moments later, the Shrimpers wasted a clearer chance to open the scoring when a fine left wing cross from Noor Husin curled across the face of goal before Gus Scott-Morris fired over at the far post.

The wasted opportunity came back to haunt Southend in the 43rd minute when a mistake from Andeng Ndi handed the Latics the lead.

The Blues shot-stopper sent a poorly placed attempted clearance into the path of Reid who sent the ball into the back of a gaping goal from 25 yards.

Despite going in front, Oldham made two changes at the break with Hallam Hope and Ellis Chapman both entering the action.

But it was Southend who pushed forward first in the second half with Henry Sandat seeing his header from Jack Bridge’s left wing cross easily saved by Magnus Norman.

In a bid to become more of a threat, Blues made their first change of the night in the 54th minute with Dan Mooney taking the place of Sandat in attack.

Shortly after the alteration, Noor Husin did well to tee up Bridge down the left hand side but his low cross was blocked at the near post before the left wing-back saw an effort of his own deflected wide of the left post.

But Oldham stood firm and doubled their lead in the 76th minute when Ben Tollitt charged down the left hand side before rolling the ball back into the path of Chapman who sent an assured left footed shot into the right hand side of the net from 20 yards out.

Blues responded with a double change as Jason Demetriou replaced Gus Scott-Morriss and Callum Powell came on for an injured looking Cav Miley.

After the substitutions, Shrimpers defender Ollie Kensdale sent a diving header against the crossbar before the Latics hit back with Reid having an effort ruled out for offside.

Southend replied with Mooney seeing a deflected shot easily saved by Norman in the final action of disappointing evening which ended with Blues four points behind the play-offs with two games to go.

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