SOUTHEND United centre-back Luke Prosser admitted he was to blame for his side’s heartbreaking defeat at Chesterfield on Saturday.

Spireites striker Amand Gnanduillet secured his side a 2-1 win at the Proact Stadium with a powerful header six minutes in to stoppage time.

But Prosser admitted to making the error which led to the home-side’s stoppage time triumph.

“I’ve held my hands up, it was my man for the goal and I lost the flight of the ball when the corner came in,” said the 25-year-old “We’re all gutted and frustrated not to have got a point because that’s the least we deserved.

“We defended and attacked well as a team and we should have taken something from the game.”

Gnanduillet’s late winner condemned the Shrimpers to their first league defeat of the season and came after Freddy Eastwood had earlier cancelled out Gary Roberts’ opener for the home-side.

However, Prosser felt Chesterfield were fortunate to come out on top.

And he believes that should be a big boost for us.

“Chesterfield can think themselves lucky to have won it but there were a lot of positives to take out the game,” said Prosser.

“For 20 minutes they came at us but after that we hit them on the counter attack quite well.

“Just before their goal I almost scored the winner but Chesterfield are the so called favourites for the league and I thought we were better than them.

“We came here to try and win and now we will be doing the same when we go to Wycombe at the weekend.”

Prosser could again line up alongside the on loan Adam Thompson against the Chairboys as Mark Phillips is still struggling with a groin problem.

And Prosser has already been impressed by his new defensive partner.

“Adam has done very well since he’s come in,” said Prosser.

“This was only the second game we’ve had together and he’s done very well in both games.

“It was unfortunate at the end of this game but it’s one of those things and now we must react in the right way.”