SOUTHEND United midfielder Kevan Hurst took little satisfaction from his goalscoring return to the starting line-up after the Shrimpers suffered a 3-1 defeat against Morecambe at Roots Hall.

Hurst was forced to miss the start of the season after suffering a knee injury.

But, after making two substitute appearances, the 28-year-old started against the Shrimps on Saturday.

And despite firing Phil Brown’s side in front midway through the first half, Hurst’s comeback was eventually ruined by Morecambe’s fight-back.

“It was mixed emotions for me really but overall I’m disappointed because we’ve lost the game and this needs to be resolved,” said Hurst.

“I was pleased to start for the first time because it’s been my target to get back in to the team.

“I was pleased to get the goal as well which put us 1-0 up but, in the end, I think Morecambe’s experience helped them win the game.”

Blues led for just five minutes as Andrew Fleming soon equalised for Morecambe.

Fleming then put the Shrimps ahead at the start of the second half and Hurst was disappointed by how Southend reacted to going behind.

“When we conceded like that we needed to regroup and go again and that didn’t happen,” said Hurst.

“They made it tough for us, even when they had 10 men after their sub got sent off towards the end but, even at that stage, it was difficult to penetrate.

“We never stopped trying but when they had so many men behind the ball it made it difficult.”

As a result, Blues sunk to a third successive defeat.

And Hurst now wants the Shrimpers to bounce back against his former Scunthorpe United side.

“We need three points against Scunthorpe now,” said Hurst, who made 74 appearances during a two year spell with the Iron.

“It will be difficult but we need to get back on a roll and start picking up points again.”