Ipswich 0 Southend 2IPSWICH Town's mini revival came to a sudden and surprising end at Portman Road this afternoon.Lowly Essex visitors Southend United took the Coca-Cola Championship points in an eventful contest that saw Blues striker Alan Lee sent off after 77 minutes for his second yellow card.

By Elvin King

Ipswich 0 Southend 2

IPSWICH Town's mini revival came to a sudden and surprising end at Portman Road this afternoon.

Lowly Essex visitors Southend United took the Coca-Cola Championship points in an eventful contest that saw Blues striker Alan Lee sent off after 77 minutes for his second yellow card.

Town suffered a blow when striker Francis Jeffers went off injured after 26 minutes, and it is unlikely that he will be fit to play again before his one-month loan from Blackburn Rovers runs out.

After referee Martin Atkinson had turned down a strong Lee claim for a penalty, Mark Gower gave the visitors the lead with a soft 35th minute goal. Central defender Peter Clarke added a second in the 41st minute after a free-kick from skipper Kevin Maher.

Town were on top at the start of the second-half and Owen Garvan struck a post - and they went close on a couple of other occasions, but a well organised Southend side will feel they deserved their win. Danny Haynes struck a post in stoppage time.

Watt Nicholl, a motivational expert, who travelled with the team to Hull on Tuesday, was involved with the players yesterday and was also at the ground today.

Ipswich face Preston away on Tuesday and will need to improve on this display.