SOUTHEND United manager Mark Molesley was left ruing two defensive lapses following tonight’s 2-1 defeat to table-topping Cambridge United.

The Shrimpers remain bottom of the League Two standings after letting slip a one goal lead.

And Molesley was frustrated to finish the night empty handed.

“It was a game of two halves and we momentarily switched off for their two goals which is the frustrating thing,” said Molesley.

“We’ve got a little bit disorganised in two areas and it cost us.

“Cambridge are top of the League and they punish teams.

“Probably two or three times we got a bit sloppy.

“We got our distances and body shape a little bit wrong and we got punished for that.

“We’re bitterly disappointed.”

Blues, who had won their previous four home games, had dominated the majority of the first half.

And Molesley felt his side could have been further in front.

“We only got the one goal and we were unlucky not to get a couple more,” said the Blues boss.

“It was a scrappy battle but we asked a lot of questions in the first half,”

“We’re bitterly disappointed but we’re hard on ourselves and we probably needed to show a bit more quality and guile at times.

“We wasted the ball too many times and we need to be more clinical.”

However, Molesley is now demanding a strong reaction to the defeat.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves,” said Molesley.

“We have to dust ourselves down and move on for the next game now.

“We need to put a few things right and come out fighting on Saturday now.”