SOUTHEND United crashed out of the Essex Senior Cup at the third round stage tonight, losing 3-0 to Coggeshall Town at Roots Hall.

The Shrimpers fielded a young side against the Isthmian North outfit who had pop star co-owner Olly Murs watching from the stands.

But the visitors who were by far the stronger side.

Coggeshall wasted a good early chance to take the lead with Kudus Oyenuga firing straight at Blues goalkeeper Fin Purcell from a dangerous position.

But the visitors were not to be denied and opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with striker Alexander Teniola heading home from close range after a long throw from Oyenuga had been flicked on.

The Shrimpers came close to drawing back level when a powerful left wing cross from Bobby Unwin was deflected onto the crossbar with the unable Cameron Brown unable to react to the resulting rebound.

Moments later, Blues’ Jon Benton curled a 25 yard free-kick before Tommy Lambourne saw a close range effort ruled out for handball after he had charged down an attempted clearance from goalkeeper Matthew Cafer.

After the break, Coggeshall came close to doubling their lead with Oyenuga bursting through the Blues back four, only to see his shot impressively saved by Purcell.

But Coggeshall remained on top and doubled their lead in the 68th minute when a deep right wing free-kick from Callum Harrison found the head of Jayden Gipson who nodded into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 10 yards.

Moments later, Town’s Isaac Skubich saw his close range effort superbly saved by Purcell but his opposite number Cafer then also made a stunning save to keep out a back post header from Unwin.

After surviving the scare, Coggeshall soon hit back and extended their lead in stunning fashion with Oyenuga sending an excellently executed chip into the top right hand corner of the net.

Southend United: Purcell, Crowhurst, Shala, Droney, Arrowsmith, Anyadike (Quamina 69), Stewart, Brown, Unwin (Garzon 82), Benton, Lambourne (Adedoja 82) Subs not used: Burkey & Clayden