KEVIN Maher admitted Southend United are enduring a difficult period following tonight’s 2-1 defeat at AFC Fylde.

An injury time effort from Nick Haughton condemned the Shrimpers to their second loss in the space of four days.

And Maher was clearly frustrated at the final whistle.

“It’s bitterly disappointing,” said Maher.

“We are trying but it’s a tough period for us now.

“We’ve got to stick together and try come through this.”

The Shrimpers reman 17th in the table with 10 points from their first nine games.

But Maher stressed he knows what must happen to get back on track.

“We know what we need and I’ve know what we needed since the summer,” said the Blues boss.

“We’re short on bodies and that’s obvious with injuries.”

“The squad was short anyway and it’s secret what we need.

“You look at the team that started the season and we’ve got six players missing.

“We’re having to go again and rebuild.

“We’re doing that while trying to win football matches too.”

But Maher also admitted the Shrimpers should still be doing better.

“We’ve still got players to win games and we should do because that’s not acceptable in terms of results,” said Maher.

“We are rebuilding and we’ve got to stick together.

“We’ve got to get on the training ground and keep working hard.

“But I feel for the fans travelling so far on a Tuesday night and I thank them for their support.”

The Shrimpers seemed set for at least a share of the spoils when Gus Scott-Morriss scored his seventh goal of the season to cancel out Jon Utsabasi’s opner.

And Maher was pleased with how Blues initially fought to get back in the game.

“We went behind and came back in the second half,” said Maher.

“We went on to try and win the game but we got caught by one right at the end by a player we highlighted who does that.

“There were one or two counter-attacks but the goal wasn’t one of them.

“We had bodies behind the ball but it’s really frustrating on a night we did well to get back in the game.

“We looked like we were going to go on and win it hopefully with a bit of quality so to lose it is a real sickener.

“We’re trying to win the game and we’ve been done by a sucker-punch.”

The Shrimpers will now look to bounce back at Solihull Moors on Saturday.

But Maher feels it could take time for Blues to get things right.

“We’re trying to improve it and it won’t happen overnight,” said Maher.

“I knew where we were at at the end of last season and what I felt we needed but things happened we can’t help.

“We’re rebuilding and trying to make the most of what we’ve got at the minute.

“The players are giving everything but they need a bit of help as well because we end up making the same subs.

“Mikey (Faulkner) and Beau (MacDonald) it’s probably harsh on them they haven’t got on but they need to be out learning their trade.

“We’ve been sticky periods since I’ve been here though and I know what’s needed.

“I know what we can do to get success and we’ll keep working.”