Southend United suffered late heartache at Norwich City, as a 90th minute goal condemned them to a 2-1 defeat.
Scott Vernon's second goal for the club at the end of the first half put the Blues in control, but despite manfully holding their own against the League One leaders, two goals in the final 12 minutes cruelly handed the three points to Norwich.
Inside the first minute of the match Norwich had a decent opening inside the box, with Anthony McNamee squaring the ball for Stephen Hughes to shoot just past the left-hand post.
Michael Rose's cross from the left nearly caused problems for Steve Mildenhall with the ball curling towards goal before the goalkeeper tipped it over the top.
Moments later, McNamee's free kick had to be cleared away from in front of goal by Jean-Yves M'Voto.
Southend had their first threat on goal through Vernon, with the on-loan striker blasting wide of the target from 25 yards out before a glorious chance soon arrived for the hosts through Chris Martin, as he got the better of Adam Barrett inside the box before shooting just inches wide of the post.
Southend had to make an early change in 27th minute with Jean-Yves M'Voto coming off after taking a knock and being replaced by Matt Paterson. This saw Adam Barrett move into the centre of defence and Daman Scannell dropping back to the right wing.
A flying save from Mildenhall impressively kept out a long range strike from Simon Lappin, but having held their own at the back, Southend then stunned the league leaders on the stroke of half time.
Excellent work from Scannell down the right wing allowed him to bypass the challenge of Rose before whipping over a low cross which rebounded off Gary Doherty and into the path of Vernon, who was able to hook the ball into the roof of the net.
Norwich fashioned a good opening seven minutes after the break, with McNamee threading the ball to Holt and from 15 yards out, he arrowed a low shot which hit the post.
Mildenhall pushed Chris Martin's low shot around his post, but despite the Blues impressively holding their own, Norwich drew level with just 12 minutes remaining through Oli Johnson.
Initially, Mildenhall made a superb save to keep out Holt's header, but substitute Johnson was in the right place to tap home the rebound.
A break forward presented Paterson with a good chance, but his low shot was comfortably saved by Fraser Forster before the goalkeeper was then kept busier to push out Simon Francis' free kick.
Alan McCormack came to Southend's rescue when hooking the ball away from in front of goal, but as we entered into the fourth minute of injury time, there was to be a late twist, as Johnson rose highest from a corner to plant his header beyond the reach of Mildenhall.
It provided an undeserving conclusion to the match, with Southend worthy of at least a point in their battle at the bottom of the table.
Southend: Mildenhall, Francis, M'Voto (Paterson 27), Baldwin, Barrett, Christophe, McCormack, Moussa (Herd 80), Malone, Scannell, Vernon.
Norwich: Forster, Nelson, R Martin, Hughes (Smith 68), Holt, Doherty, Hoolahan, C Martin, Lappin (Johnson 68), Rose, McNamee.
