Steve Tilson admitted that Southend United are now left to play for pride in their three remaining games of the season, after a 1-0 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Blues chief felt that they didn't have enough in and around the box to make the most of their chances and believes everything that has gone on recently finally caught up with the players.

"Even if we would have won today, with the other results, it wouldn't have made much difference," Steve told Blues Player.

"We needed that little bit of quality in and around the box.

"We had more chances to score, but Brighton have taken theirs.

"That was the difference today. Brighton got a break and that is why it has gone in.

"Unfortunately, we weren't good enough in and around their box.

"With what the players have gone through, it has caught up with them.

"It is a difficult time for the players and they looked deflated at the end.

"We wanted to get in and amongst them, but the last thing we wanted was the heat.

"We now have to play for a bit of pride and go out there and see where it takes us.

"We need an absolute miracle to stay up and would need to win all three of our games and hope other results go our way."