SOUTHEND United defender John White felt the Shrimpers were well below their best in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Plymouth Argyle at Roots Hall.

Blues found themselves 3-0 down before rallying late on to restore some pride.

But White was still frustrated by the disappointing display.

“We didn’t play as well as we could do with or without the ball and mistakes cost us goals,” said the centre-back.

“It’s not individual mistakes it’s one, two and then three mistakes costing us a goal and it’s happened so much at home.

“It’s caused us problems and we’ve made it difficult for ourselves to get back into the game.

“We came back at the end but it was too little too late unfortunately.”

Simon Cox fired home from the penalty spot for the Shrimpers five minutes from time before 17-year-old Charlie Kelman scored from inside his own half in stoppage time.

And White was full of praise for Kelman who was making his League debut for Blues.

“It was unreal,” said White.

“His vision from there to see the keeper off his line and to have the ability to hit it from there and hit the target is unreal. It’s once in a career sometimes that kind of strike and for him to do that is crazy. I’m so pleased for him but he has a long way to go now.

“The hard work starts now but everyone can see he’s a bright spark. He’s physically strong and he uses his body well for his age.”

But, despite Kelman’s late strike, the Shrimpers still ended the game empty handed.

And White is now keen to bounce back at Bradford City on Saturday.

“We can’t dwell on it and we have another game coming up,” said White.

“We’ll have to keep working hard in training and focus on Bradford.”

However, the Shrimpers will be heading to Valley Parade without a number of key players who remain on the treatment table.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said White.

“We’ve also had so many midweek games too and we’ve not been able to rest people. The players are playing a lot of games, games perhaps you wouldn’t want them all playing.

“Being able to rotate more would be ideal but we haven’t been able to do that and it’s tough.

“But you have to deal with what’s in front of you. “