Southend United's reserves crashed to a comprehensive 6-1 defeat at home to Ipswich Town this afternoon.
Matt Paterson did give the Blues hope of making the game more competitive when he drew the team level in the first half, but the Championship outfit were simply too clinical in attack as they raced to a comfortable victory.
Southend endured a poor start with Ipswich taking an early lead through Ed Upson, whose deflected strike from 25 yards out flew into the top corner.
Paterson helped to draw the Blues level in the 10th minute though, as he saw his initial strike saved by goalkeeper Bryan Murphy from Scott Spencer's square pass before hooking the rebound into the net.
Yet the lead lasted little more than a minute, as Reggie Lambe's strike was blocked on its way to goal before he reacted quickest to pick up the loose ball and arrow it beyond a wrong footed Daniel Bentley.
Southend struggled to create in the final third to get back into the game in the first half, with Ipswich threatening to extend their lead as Upson charged into the box before blasting the ball narrowly over the top.
But just three minutes before the interval, Ipswich increased their lead, with Connor Wickham rifling a superb volley from the edge of the box beyond a statuesque Bentley.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Ipswich scoring a fourth goal of the afternoon just three minutes in, as Southend failed to clear a cross and Shane O'Connor took advantage to knock the ball past Bentley.
Ipswich continued to look likely to add to their lead, as Lee Martin volleyed over from inside the box before only a superb save from Bentley kept out Ronan Murray's strike as he raced on goal.
Another chance saw Lambe blaze over from close range, but with 15 minutes remaining it did come as no surprise to see Ipswich score again, as O'Connor eased through the defence before firing into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Southend couldn't muster any chances of their own, with Ipswich going on to add a sixth goal in the 86th minute through the simplest form.
Upson took aim from a free kick on the edge of the box and curled the ball straight over the wall and beyond Bentley, who was left standing still covering the other side of the net.
Southend: Bentley, Sankofa, Osifuwa, Whittaker, Herd, Asante (Milner 23), Dennis, James-Lewis (Woodyard 82), Blackman (Okai 78), Spencer, Paterson.
