ONE step forward two steps back would arguably be the most accurate way to summarise Southend United’s fortunes in the past few days.

A brilliant 2-0 victory against high-flying Eastleigh on Tuesday seemed to suggest the Shrimpers had well and truly kick-started their National League season.

And, when Gus Scott-Morriss brilliantly fired Blues ahead against Sutton United on Saturday, it seemed momentum was gathering for Kevin Maher’s side.

But what ultimately transpired was one of the most frustrating afternoons at Roots Hall for quite some time as the Shrimpers contributed massively to their own downfall in a 3-1 defeat.

Blues bossed the first half and took the lead when Scott-Morriss netted for the sixth time in eight outings this season.

The in-form right wing-back capitalised on a poor clearance from his former Southend team-mate Steve Arnold and scored with a superbly taken effort from long range.

Arnold then somewhat made amends by denying Bim Pepple from close range and that wasted opportunity proved more pivotal as the first ever meeting between the two teams progressed.

Sutton were gifted an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when calamitous mis-communication from Adam Crowther and Harry Taylor enabled Josh Coley to race clean through on goal before rounding the advancing Collin Andeng Ndi and slotting home into the back of the South Stand net.

The leveller came on the stroke of half-time but the response of the Shrimpers in the second period was the most worrying aspect of the afternoon.

Blues were unable to get back on top after the break and were below their best at both ends of the pitch during their first home defeat of the campaign

Sutton were given too much space to pose problems of their own and took the lead via an own goal from Joe Gubbins before Ashley Nadesan sealed their victory late on as Southend conceded three goals in a home game for the first time since losing to Hartlepool back in August 2023.

To add to the concerns, the Shrimpers wasted clear cut chances of their own to score with substitute Macauley Bonne failing to make the most of two guilt edged opportunities after entering the action.

Bonne is clearly still working his way back to full fitness and the lack of a goal-getting forward is an obvious observation at this early stage of the season, along with just how hard the departure of Harry Cardwell will have hit the team.

A bizarre statistic from the previous campaign is that Daniel Kanu, who made just six appearances, was the second highest scoring striker for Blues last term with four goals in one game.

And the Shrimpers must start to find more regular goal-getters to become a real force at this level.

Bim Pepple can certainly not be faulted for effort and it was his impressive work-rate which helped to create Scott-Morriss’ goal at the weekend.

But the on loan Luton Town forward seems more likely to help those around him to hit the back of the net rather than becoming a regular goal-getter himself.

Attacking combinations will undoubtedly be worked upon by the Shrimpers coaching staff who also having to adjust to losing Ollie Kensdale at the heart of the back three.

The defender seems very unlikely to feature for Southend again and, with midfielder Cav Miley sidelined through injury, it is very much a new look spine for the Kevin Maher’s side this season.

Perhaps inconsistent performances are to therefore be expected.

But the last few days have perfectly encapsulated the never too high, never too low adage which can often follow a variation in results.

That being said, victory at AFC Fylde on Tuesday would see the Shrimpers move into the top 10, sitting just a point outside the play-off positions.

A strong reaction is therefore essential if Blues are to get back on track against their now managerless hosts and show Saturday’s disappointment was just a bad day at the office rather than being a sign of things to come this season.