Worthington Cup heroes Bury came crashing down to earth after a miserable second-half collapse saw them slump to a 3-1 defeat at home to Southend.

After defeating Bolton 1-0 in midweek, Andy Preece's men squandered a similar lead in disappointing fashion.

Bury went ahead when Terry Dunfield's near-post corner was met by a fierce left-footed volley from defender Michael Nelson which goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan was helpless to stop.

But Southend gradually clawed their way back into the game with Graeme Jones exploiting confusion between Bury goalkeeper Glyn Garner and defender Matt Barrass to head the equaliser.

The visitors took the lead when Neil Jenkins slotted the ball home and Tes Bramble completed the scoring with a late header.

Bury: Garner, Barrass, Swailes, Nelson, Unsworth, Billy, Forrest, Dunfield, Woodthorpe, Abbott, Newby.
Subs: Preece, Stuart, O'Shaughnessy, Seddon, George.

Southend: Flahavan, Broad, Cort, Whelan, Beard, Maher, Selley, Smith, Jenkins, Bramble, Jones.
Subs: Gay, Searle, Thurgood, Belgrave, Clark.

Referee: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).