SOUTHEND United’s fight for League One survival will go to the final day of the season following a 1-0 defeat at Rochdale this afternoon.

The Shrimpers had been hoping to build on Monday’s 3-2 win against Burton Albion.

But Ian Henderson’s goal, eight minutes into the second half, saw Blues suffer another setback.

And Kevin Bond’s side now sit just one place above the relegation zone, on goal difference, with just one game to go.

The game started slowly but the Shrimpers were forced into making an enforced change after just 14 minutes when the injury plagued Luke Hyam limped off with what appeared to be a thigh problem and was replaced in the centre of the park by Timothee Dieng.

After the change, Southend threatened on the stroke of half-time with Taylor Moore having a looping header tipped over the crossbar by Rochdale goalkeeper Josh Lillis.

But, eight minutes after the break, Rochdale broke the deadlock with Henderson scoring his 21st goal of the season.

The Dale skipper reacted sharply after Ethan Hamilton’s low shot from Joe Bunney’s half cleared right wing corner had been parried out by Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley and made no mistake with a clinical close range finish.

The corner came following a poor attempted backpass from Dieng which went straight out of play and, on the hour mark, the Frenchman made way for Michael Kightly.

Stephen McLaughlin replaced Stephen Hendrie at the same time and the Irishman saw a late leveller ruled out for offside meaning Blues' fight to stay up will now go to the final day of the season when they host high-flying Sunderland at Roots Hall.