KIEFFER Moore’s late header saw Southend United slip to a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat at Barnsley this afternoon.

The injury hit Blues more than matched their promotion chasing hosts for most of the afternoon at Oakwell.

But Moore’s header, two minutes from time, saw the Shrimpers slump to their second away defeat in succession.

Blues began the contest brightly and created a good early chance to score when Simon Cox teed up Harry Bunn who sent his left footed shot wide of the right post from close range.

Moments later, Bunn headed Taylor Moore’s deflected wing cross straight at Barnsley goalkeeper Adam Davies before Barnsley replied with Dimitri Cavare heading Alex Mowatt’s right wing corner over the crossbar at the near post.

However, Blues soon hit back with Cox firing straight at Davies from 25 yards before Moore – who lined up at right-back – fired wide of the right post from a narrow angle.

After surviving the scares, Barnsley replied with Kieffer Moore having a well struck effort pushed to safety by Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley before Brad Potts volleyed wide of the left post from eight yards in the closing action of the first half.

The Shrimpers started the second half brightly with Timothee Dieng teeing up Cox in a promising position but the striker delayed shooting and was eventually forced into teeing up Jason Demetriou who over-hit his right wing cross.

Barnsley soon replied with Moore sending Mowatt’s right wing corner against the top of the bar before the Tykes were again denied by the woodwork in the 67th minute when Potts slammed a left footed shot against the bar.

Blues boss Chris Powell responded by bringing Michael Kightly on in place of Bunn but Barnsley threatened next with Moore firing straight at Oxley from 20 yards.

With play soon switching back to the other end of the field, Dru Yearwood teed up Cox to fire home – only for the effort to be ruled out for out offside.

Cox made way for Theo Robinson in the 82nd minute but, six minutes later, the Tykes netted a late winner as Moore rose high to head home Mowatt’s right wing corner.