MARK Venus admitted his side must work towards maintaining their League One status after suffering a fifth successive league defeat on Saturday afternoon.
The Sky Blues went down 3-1 to Southend United, leaving them in 21st place only a point ahead of current bottom side Shrewsbury Town.
Only a late consolation goal for Daniel Agyei gave City fans something to cheer about as now find themselves 13 points adrift of the playoff zone.
The home side took the lead after just six minutes as Anthony Wordsworth converted from 12 yards out.
Southend thought they had doubled their lead later on in the first half as Simon Cox slotted a shot past keeper Lee Burge, however the linesman had already raised his flag and the goal was disallowed.
City were left to rue a couple of chances before the half-time whistle as Marvin Sordell’s shot was blocked and Agyei’s effort from close range couldn’t find the net.
Southend doubled their lead on the hour mark as a header from a freekick was eventually forced in by Anton Ferdinand from close range.
The Shrimpers wrapped up victory just five minutes later when Stephen McLaughlin’s shot struck the post before rebounding off the back of substitute goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook.
Agyei’s late goal proved little consolation for the 400+ travelling Sky Blue fans who left Essex ruing another disappointing loss.
City will host second-placed Sheffield United on Thursday evening, and boss Mark Venus is adamant to work on cutting out conceding ‘basic goals’.
He said: “They worked hard, had chances to score goals but again conceded three goals.
“They weren’t good goals that we conceded, they were basic goals and that’s what is beating them every week.
“We have to stop it and turn it around – the club has to stay in this league.”
