TWO second-half strikes from Jack Bridge sentenced York City to their third consecutive defeat after a deflating performance against Southend United.

Southend rose into the play-offs with thanks to the three points, in a first of two weekends down to Essex for David Webb’s York.

But a mediocre display from City saw Bridge open the scoring in the second half thanks to a composed penalty, before a brilliantly-taken chip into Ethan Ross’ far post saw York fall to another underwhelming loss.

The Minstermen were looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat after suffering a spineless 2-1 loss against Maidenhead United last weekend, and a 2-0 defeat in midweek to Oldham Athletic.

But with York now 17th in the Vanarama National League and just four points adrift of the dreaded relegation zone, manager David Webb will be desperate for three points on Tuesday night, as City host Solihull Moors at the LNER Community Stadium (7.45pm).

York manager Webb named four changes to his side who suffered defeat to Maidenhead last weekend, with Alex Whittle, Alex Hurst, Maxim Kouogun and Ethan Ross all coming into the starting eleven.

Southend are a club with barrels of problems.

Failing to pay 1.4 million pounds on a tax bill, receiving a HMRC winding up petition, players not being paid alongside the under-18s squad, suffering from a transfer embargo and having the ticket office closed, Darlington not receiving their payment for their gate receipts, stewards confiscating banners and having supporters conduct a protest before the match.

There's doubt whether Southend United will continue to exist in the coming months.

However, it was the hosts who began the game looking the more likely, as former York-man Rhys Murphy somehow squeezed in behind the City defence and bared down on goal, but a phenomenal stop from the returning Ross kept the scores level.

Murphy was an immediate threat for York, latching onto a long ball from goalkeeper Blondy Nna Noukeu and racing through on goal, but the striker couldn’t get a proper connection on his strike and saw his effort smashed clear.

York began to grow into the match and nearly broke the deadlock, as Alex Hurst delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Hancox, who could only steer his effort wide.

Jack Bridge was elected as Southend’s danger man prior to kick-off by Southend Echo reporter Chris Phillips, and this nearly proved the case as his teasing cross met the head of Murphy, but the towering forward couldn’t keep his header down.

Noor Husin is an Afghanistan international alongside City winger Maziar Kouhyar, and nearly showed his vast experiences with some lovely footwork to phase past Fraser Kerr before hammering the ball narrowly wide.

Olly Dyson appeared to be playing more advanced in a midfield role as he launched himself at a cross from Ryan Fallowfield, but his header could only trickle across the face of goal.

City were quickly becoming more accustomed in the contest and continued to apply pressure, as two opportunities for both Hancox and John-Lewis were brilliantly dealt with by the Shrimpers defence.

York would receive something of a sucker-punch on the half an hour mark, as Nathan Thomas was forced off of the pitch with an injury and was even booked in the process.

Southend would look to pile on the misery too, as another Bridge corner was met by Murphy, whose header narrowly evaded the target.

Heading into the second half, York tried to assert an early dominance, with a Pybus corner being flicked into the side netting by Fraser Kerr.

Their biggest chance of the game fell to captain John-Lewis, after a loose ball fell into the path of the striker, who forced a brilliant stop from Nna Noukeu with a venomous half-volleyed strike.

Southend’s Harry Cardwell is slowly beginning to find his place in the Shrimpers system, and did brilliantly to dispossess Kerr in a deep position before his low cross somehow evaded a Southend touch.

But with just over an hour played, a clumsy foul from Pybus in the box on Bridge forced referee Lloyd Wood to award the hosts a penalty,

Up stepped Bridge, who calmly smashed the ball down the centre of the game.

York nearly responded immediately from the restart, as Hancox’s low strike was parried by Nna Noukeu into the path of Dyson, but a last-ditch challenge from Shaun Hobson denied an immediate equaliser.

Not long later, Southend doubled their advantage and sealed the three points.

A goal of sheer class from Bridge, who toyed with the City defence before delicately dinking a cross-shot into the far post, catching Ross out and nestling into the back of the net.

Chances were rare in the later stages of the game, with Hancox coming closest for City after heading over the bar.

But Ross would be called into action again with a fantastic double save, initially making a reactive stop to deny Cardwell’s effort before smother Jake Hyde’s follow-up strike.

York City: Ross 7; Fallowfield 6, Kouogun 6, Kerr 5, Whittle 5; Dyson 6 (Duku, 81), Pybus 7; Hurst 6 (Forde, 71), Hancox 6, Thomas 6 (Tanner, 33); John-Lewis 6

Goals: N/A

Yellow cards: Thomas (32), Pybus (43)

Subs not used: Whitley, Burgess

Southend United: Nna Noukeu 7; Scott-Morriss 7, Hobson 6, Kensdale 6, Lopata 6, Ralph 7; Husin 8, Miley 8, Bridge 9 (Taylor, 88); Murphy 7 (Hyde, 79), Cardwell 7 (Powell, 90)

Subs not used: Fonguck, Demetriou

Goals: Bridge (64, 71)

Yellow cards: Miley (58)

York’s star man: Dan Pybus. A battling performance from the midfielder, who fought and challenged in midfield and wasn’t afraid to get stuck in.

Referee: Lloyd Wood

Attendance: 5737 (287 York)

Shots (on target): 5 (5) | 6 (2)

Corners: 4 | 4

Offsides: 0 | 2

Fouls: 9 | 10