STRUGGLING Southend United plunged to new depths of despair, slumping to a shocking 5-1 defeat at Port Vale this afternoon.

Vale went into the game having triumphed just once in their last 11 outings.

But the Shrimpers produced a dire and dismal display to suffer their fourth reverse in succession to remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the League Two table.

Vale scored four of their goals in the first half and went in front inside the opening minute with Devante Rodney lashing a well-struck effort into the back of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

The hosts remained on top and doubled their lead in the 20th minute when a deep left wing cross from Cristian Montano was picked up by ex Blues winger David Worrall whose half-volley was deflected into his own net by Tyler Cordner.

The Shrimpers were soon forced into making their first change of the afternoon as skipper John White hobbled off and was replaced by Ashley Nathaniel-George.

The move saw Blues switch from a 5-3-2 formation to 4-2-3-1 but Vale remained on top and extended their lead in the 27th minute with Adam Crookes poking the ball home from close range after an initial effort had been cleared off the line by Elvis Bwomono.

The Shrimpers suffered another injury blow in the 34th minute with Sam Hart having to be replaced by Tom Clifford at left-back.

But the hosts continued to dominate with Mark Oxley doing well to deny Kurtis Guthrie but he was beaten again just before the break with Rodney tapping home from close range following more woeful defending from Blues.

The shell-shocked Shrimpers made another change at the break with new boy Nathan Ferguson replacing Bwomono to make his debut Two further changes followed in the 66th minute with Emile Acquah and Louis Walsh both entering the action in place of Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Jason Demetriou.

The match was short of action in the second half but Blues did get a goal back four minutes from time with Ferguson firing home an impressive effort from long range.

However, Port Vale immediately replied with Manny Oyeleke scoring from 12 yards to complete a miserable afternoon for the Shrimpers.