SOUTHEND United suffered their first pre-season defeat of the summer at Roots Hall this afternoon, losing 1-0 to Gillingham.

Blues started the warm up clash brightly but a second half header from Mikael Mandron settled the match in the Kent club’s favour.

Shrimpers striker Sam Dalby headed an early left wing cross from Nathan Ralph over the North Bank net before Callum Powell saw a left footed shot cleared off the line by Elkan Baggot following a fine delivering from Oli Coker.

Moments later, Tom Clifford had a 12 yard shot parried out by Gills goalkeeper Jake Turner before Powell saw his effort deflected wide of the right post.

Powell soon darted into the right hand side of the penalty area before seeing another effort diverted wide of the right post but the visitors soon replied with striker Scott Kashket prodding the ball against the inside of the left post from close range.

The Shrimpers hit back with Oli Coker seeing an 18 yard shot tipped over by Turner before the hosts threatened again just before the break with Wesley Fonguck firing over.

Blues made a change at the break with QPR goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney replacing Steve Arnold between the sticks.

But, 11 minutes into the second half, the Gills took the lead with Scott Kashket’s left wing cross finding Mandron who headed home at the far post from six yards.

The Shrimpers responded with Jon Benton replacing Coker in the centre of the park before the visitors came close to doubling their lead with ex Southend loanee Jordan Green sending a low shot against the foot of the right post.

Blues opted to make a trio of changes in the 69th minute with Noor Husin, Harry Taylor and Jack Bridge all coming on before a further five changes followed nine minutes later with Jaden Crowhurst, Tommy Davis, Luke Reeve, Louis Arrowsmith and Jack Wood entering the action.

But, after the changes, the game petered out with neither side looking like scoring late on.

Southend United: Arnold (Mahoney 46), Demetriou (Crowhurst 78), Hobson (Davis 78), Kensdale (Reeve 78), Ralph (Arrowsmith 78), Clifford (Wood 78), Coker (Benton 59), Miley (Husin 69), Fonguck (Taylor 69), Powell, Dalby (Bridge 69)