Oxford United’s three-match winning run came to an end as 2011 began in disappointing fashion.

Southend scored twice in the first half and the U’s barely managed a shot on target until late in the game.

United endured a fairly horrific first half in which they were outplayed in midfield and gave the ball away far too often.

Southend had not played since December 14 but looked more assured on the ball than the home side, who fell behind on 18 minutes.

From the game’s first corner, swung over by Luis Soares, Blair Sturrock saw one shot blocked, but Barry Corr made no mistake, drilling a low effort through a sea of bodies from 12 yards.

The U’s were fortunate not to have gone behind earlier.

Simon Clist passed straight to Sturrock and the manager’s son, with just Clarke, to beat, really should have scored. But he delayed, Clarke did well to put him off and when he did prod a shot goalwards, Harry Worley was there to mop up.

The only change to United’s side from their 2-1 win over Macclesfield on Tuesday, was Ben Purkiss taking over from Damian Batt at right back. Tom Craddock also took over on the bench from Jack Midson.

Alfie Potter managed to get around the back of the Southend defence in the first few minutes, but his cutback was comfortably defended.

A fine crossfield pass from Josh Payne to Purkiss provided Oxford’s first real opportunity, but an unchallenged James Constable directed his header wide.

The home side were standing off a lot and playing long from the back too many times for the home fans’ liking, but the midfield three were struggling to find space to receive the ball.

United didn’t help themselves at times. Simon Heslop was booked for a professional foul after momentarily allowing his man to get goalside, and Payne and Ben Futcher followed him with yellow cards of their own.

When Payne was taken off just before the break, it seemed as much about making sure he didn’t get another card, and an early bath.

But it went from bad to worse for the U’s right on half-time when Southend right back Sean Clohessy pumped a long cross forward from near the touchline 35 yards out, and saw it float over Ryan Clarke and go in off the left post.

It was his first goal and his reaction made it clear that he hadn’t meant it.

Jake Wright came on for Futcher for the second half and an opportunity fell to Potter, when a free-kick from deep was headed back to him. But his left-footed volley from just inside the area flew wide.

An announcement for fans to leave the stadium, which proved a false alarm, epitomised how it was an afternoon when just about everything that could go wrong for Oxford did.

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Purkiss, Worley, Futcher (Wright h-t), Kinniburgh (Craddock 63), Heslop, Payne (Hall 44), Clist, Potter, Maclean, Constable. Subs not used: Batt, Tonkin, Eastwood, Craddock.

Att: 7,362.