Southend United continued their Jekyll and Hyde tendencies with an untimely torrid display against Barnsley on Saturday.

Just when the Shrimpers needed to show the form which had superbly seen off promotion-pushing Preston North End they reverted back to the team which had easily been brushed aside by both Hull City and Colchester.

As a result, relegation now looks a foregone conclusion for Blues, who have struggled to overcome the sides in and around them at the foot of the table this season.

Rather bizarrely, Southend have beaten four of the top five teams during the current campaign, but that is in stark contrast to their form against their fellow strugglers.

For Barnsley have now completed a double over Steve Tilson's side and so have Hull City, while Leeds United took four points from the Seasiders.

That means Southend have failed to beat any of the four sides closest to them during the current campaign and have secured just two points from a possible 21 against those rivals.

That wretched record could prove critical, along with the Shrimpers' inability to defend set pieces.

The Roots Hall outfit have now conceded 20 goals from dead ball situations this season, with another two going in at the weekend.

But the worries do not end there as Southend have also struggled at the other end of the field.

Last season Shaun Goater chipped in with 11 goals and the year before saw Wayne Gray net 13.

This time around however, the second highest scoring striker - Lee Bradbury - has scored just four goals and the club's seven forwards who have figured this term - other than Freddy Eastwood - have managed just seven league goals between them.

That has hit the Seasiders hard and, despite the vast improvements which have been made since Christmas, it now seems certain that Southend United will be back in League One next season.