BOSS Kevin Bond labelled Cherries' defending and decision making as "dreadful" after their dismal season went from bad to worse on Saturday.

Russ Perrett, Josh Gowling and Gareth Stewart were all culpable as Bond's side slumped to a disastrous 4-1 defeat at the hands of League One rivals Southend.

Defender Perrett carried the can for Mark Gower's opening goal and also gave away a needless second-half penalty - subsequently missed by the same player.

Goalkeeper Stewart allowed a speculative 25-yard drive to squirm through his grasp as Simon Francis put the Shrimpers 2-0 ahead inside 23 minutes.

And after Jo Tessem's error had led to Tommy Black making it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time, Gowling was at fault as Gary Hooper added a fourth.

Bond said: "I don't want to pick people out but I thought our centre-halves had a poor day and Gareth was disappointed with a couple of the decisions and also the second goal.

"It destroys you because we had some unbelievably good chances but didn't make the most of them and I think they scored with their first shot on goal.

"It's demoralising when you have a host of chances and end up only taking one. I plainly expect better from more experienced players at the back. That's what they are there to do."

Cherries were thrown a lifeline when Lewis Hunt turned Warren Cummings's cross past his own goalkeeper to reduce the deficit four minutes into the second half.

But their hopes of a stirring comeback were short-lived as the lively Hooper outpaced Gowling to restore Southend's three-goal cushion with a 65th-minute goal.

"An early goal at the start of the second half was just what we wanted," added Bond. "It gave us a lift but we went and conceded a fourth soon after.

"We also conceded a really poor penalty, which I thought was a penalty. Russ didn't need to do it (haul down Hooper) and he knows that. But we got a break because it was missed.

"We had a great chance to make it 3-2 and then they went straight up the other end and scored again. We caused our own problems."

Stewart was eventually forced off due to a tight hamstring and could be a major doubt ahead of tomorrow's visit of Luton.

He was replaced by rookie Ryan Pryce who had already played 90 minutes for the youth team in their 2-1 victory over Cheltenham on Saturday morning.

Asked whether Pryce might start against the Hatters, Bond said: "With all due respect to Prycey, if Gareth is struggling, I would like to be able to bring in an experienced goalkeeper if it were possible."

Shaun Cooper was taken off after suffering cramp in the closing stages, while Max Gradel collected his fifth booking of the season and will miss the trip to Port Vale.