Southend's impressive unbeaten run finally came to an end, after they lost for the first time in 14 matches at Tranmere Rovers.

Backed by a buoyant set of supporters, which featured many in fancy dress, the Blues made the sort of lively start that has been a familiar trend to their play in recent weeks.

Unfortunately, they failed to keep up the standards they set after the break and, as a result, have now missed out on any possibility of finishing second in League One.

Antony Kay's second half header was enough to settle proceedings in Tranmere's favour, as Southend will now hope to recover their poise for the play-offs.

Charlie Mulgrew tried to repeat his scoring feat at Carlisle the previous Saturday, with another whipped free kick in the opening minutes looking to catch Danny Coyne cold from 20 yards, but the goalkeeper was able to stick a hand out and tip the ball over.

Tranmere created a great opening at the other end with Shane Sherriff released inside the box and arrowing a fierce effort on goal, which left Darryl Flahavan statuesque as it deflected off Simon Francis and looped narrowly over the top.

Adam Barrett nearly put the ball into his own net, as Chris Shuker's marauding run and subsequent cross-cum-shot hit the captain on its way to goal, leaving Flahavan to produce a magnificent reaction save.

The chances continued to come for both sides, as Alan McCormack created space for himself with a powerful run forward before trying his luck with a low shot that skimmed just past the left-hand post.

There was more pressure from Tranmere, who were now on top, as Sherriff volleyed over inside the box before Ian Moore was put clean through after breaking the offside trap, but he shot straight at Flahavan.

Alex Revell came close to scoring his first goal for the club, as he connected with Tommy Black's inswinging cross on the stroke of half time and directed a header that Coyne needed to tip around the post.

The deadlock was broken just eight minutes into the second half though when Kay was afforded too much space to head in Sherriff's left-wing cross from close range.

Kay had his eye on goal again with a rasping strike from distance pushed over the top by Flahavan before Chris Greenacre missed a sitter at the far post when he headed over.

Southend were now finding it hard to make any inroads of their own up field and Flahavan was again kept busy by blocking Robbie Stockdale's stinging drive.

The Blues used all their substitutes in search of an equaliser, but it was Greenacre who came closest to finding the back of the net when he miscued his effort from the edge of the box and blazed over.

Southend: Flahavan, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Mulgrew, Black (Scannell 84), McCormack, Bailey, Gower (Moussa 84), Walker, Revell (MacDonald 71).

Tranmere: Coyne, Stockdale, Sherriff, Kay, Moore, Greenacre, Jennings, Chorley, Goodison, Taylor, Shuker (Curran 78).