Southend United produced an encouraging display on their travels at Charlton Athletic, but still made the journey home empty-handed after a 1-0 defeat.
A first half header from Deon Burton was all that separated the two sides in League One, but the Blues were certainly not without their moments, as Lee Barnard looked a good bet to score early on before the match petered out in the second half.
Jabo Ibehre had a sight of goal within just three minutes, as Francis Laurent cut inside to lay the ball off to Franck Moussa and he exchanged passes with the on-loan striker before he blazed over the top from 20 yards.
Moussa wasn't far off himself as, with Charlton struggling to clear their lines from a throw-in, the Belgian midfielder picked up possession and directed a volley wide of the right-hand post.
The action soon switched to the other end of the field, with Charlton only denied from taking the lead by a superb stop from Steve Mildenhall.
Burton initially squared the ball to David Mooney in front of goal, but as he slipped as he went to shoot, Lloyd Sam arrived to arrow the ball goalwards, only for Mildenhall to make an excellent one-handed save to deny the hosts.
Southend were holding their own against their high flying opponents and a quick break forward handed Barnard the perfect chance to add to his 14-goal tally.
Laurent outpaced Grant Basey down the right wing before delivering a measured cross to find Barnard inside the box, but despite controlling the ball and lining up a shot, goalkeeper Rob Elliott charged out to make a vital block as he pulled the trigger.
It proved to be a costly miss, as Charlton were soon celebrating taking the lead in the 25th minute, after Sam's right wing cross was headed into the bottom corner of the net by Burton.
Mildenhall then tipped over a free kick from former Southend midfielder Nicky Bailey, as Charlton threatened to score a second goal at The Valley.
Therry Racon looked to keep up the pressure for the Addicks after the break when he found space to shoot from the edge of the area, with an effort sailing past the left-hand post.
Chances were few and far between for both sides in the second half, but Simon Francis came close when arrowing a free kick which hit the roof of the net to get the fantastic away support to continue in full voice.
James Walker and Damian Scannell both entered the fray in the final stages, but Charlton came close when Burton's header from a corner was scrambled behind at the far post.
Despite three minutes of injury time, Southend were unable to find a response in slipping to their third straight defeat.
Southend: Mildenhall, Francis, Morrison, Barrett, Malone, Laurent, Grant, McCormack, Moussa (Scannell 87), Ibehre (Walker 80), Barnard.
Charlton: Elliott, Richardson (Omozusi 46), Bailey, Racon (Spring 79), Burton, Sam, Basey, Wagstaff, S Sodje, Mooney (A Sodje 60), Dailly.
