Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth bemoaned the "sloppy goals" his side conceded as he saw his side lose 3-2 to Southend United at Adams Park on Saturday.

The Shrimpers flew into a three-goal lead as goals from Theo Robinson, Tom Hopper and Simon Cox looked to have sealed an easy victory.

However, the Chairboys battled back in the last 10 minutes thanks to goals from Craig Mackail-Smith and Adebayo Akinfenwa, which ensured a nervy finish with Southend just holding firm.

Ainsworth said: "We can't be gambling like that on 83 minutes every game and hoping we will get back into it.

"They stuck their chances away and didn't concede sloppy goals and we did the opposite.

"We had one or two chances at crucial times which we didn't stick away. We then conceded sloppy goals and we can't do that.

"We looked open and we can't leave ourselves exposed the way we did but on the other hand we were always going to score goals."

He added: "There are plenty of players in that Southend side who could play in the Championship.

"We did OK but it wasn't good enough. The substitutions almost paid off but it wasn't to be.

"We need to pick the bones out of this and make sure on Tuesday we are ready to go again "

The Blues have had a lot of fixtures in recent weeks with plenty of midweek games but Ainsworth refused to use lethargy as an excuse.

He said: "People have said that but there are people who were in the side on Tuesday [against Norwich] and there are people who weren't in the side.

"I can't be saying that they can't do three games in the week. We do our loading and try and remain fresh.

"The games come thick and fast now. We want to stay up and build and we will see where we are."