SOUTHEND United sunk to their fourth defeat in succession this afternoon, losing 1-0 to Bradford City at Roots Hall.

Lee Evans’s early effort made sure of a place in the play-offs for the Bantams.

And it also heaped further misery on the out of sorts Shrimpers.

Bradford took just 12 minutes to grab the game’s only game when Evans collected a pass from James Meredith and was allowed far too much time and space before curling a low, 20 yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Blues hit back with Ryan Leonard having a well struck long range shot tipped over by Bantams goalkeeper Ben Williams before Tyrone Barnett headed Leonard’s long throw from the right hand side straight at the visiting shot-stopper.

In reply, Evans soon had another effort gathered by Shrimpers goalkeeper Ted Smith at the second attempt before play switched back to the other end of the field with Stephen McLaughlin firing an acrobatic effort over the crossbar from close range.

After the half chance the game died down before Blues boss Phil Brown attempted to liven it up midway through the second half with two substitutions in quick succession.

The first saw Noel Hunt replace David Mooney in attack before Jack Bridge came on for Glen Kamara to make his Shrimpers debut.

After the changes, Blues came within a whisker of drawing back level when Barnett thundered an effort against the underside of the crossbar.

Blues soon made a third change with Jamar Loza replacing Will Atkinson before Leonard also came close to netting an equaliser as his well struck show flew inches wide of the left post.

After surviving the scares, Bradford substitute Jamie Proctor saw a well struck shot saved by Smith.

But the Shrimpers were unable to conjure up a late leveller as their disappointing run of results continued.