Struggling Southend only able to name one sub

Manager Kevin Maher spent 10 years as player with Southend

Southend United manager Kevin Maher says something has to change after only being able to name one substitute for their game against Bromley.

The club are still under a transfer embargo while they await completion of a takeover by a consortium, led by Australian businessman Justin Rees.

They lost 2-1 at home to Bromley on Saturday, with keeper David Martin having to go off after 63 minutes.

"It's papering over what's going on," Maher told BBC Essex Sport.

"Something's got to happen, and happen soon, because we'll have injuries obviously and you can't go into a game with one sub, but we had no choice in that."

Defender Gus Scott-Morriss went in goal when Martin left the field, to be replaced by sole substitute Mauro Vilhete.

Southend were 2-0 down at the time, but Scott-Morriss kept a clean sheet for the rest of the game, with Brooklyn Kabongolo reducing the deficit.

The Shrimpers, who have also been hit with a 10-point deduction because of their financial problems, are 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation places.

"For me, we were the better team - more chances, more balls in the box, everything was in our favour bar the scoreline, which is obviously the most important thing," said Maher.

"They're second in the league, and so well organised and they're a good side - but we've got an outfield player in goal, no subs, a centre-half up front, and we were like the Alamo in the second half.

"That tells me that if we were allowed to work properly, we'd be up matching them and pushing (leaders) Chesterfield."

The consortium said on 6 December that they were hopeful the takeover deal could be "brought to closure shortly" and were working to ensure the transfer embargo is lifted along with it.

Maher said Martin had taken a "whack in the ribs" and was "very sore".

Stand-in Scott-Morriss was also in the wars, colliding with an advertising hoarding during the first half, before donning the goalkeeping gloves.

Maher added: "He's that type of character, he'll do anything. For him to do that and Brook to go up front and get the goal was incredible.

"The ovation the fans gave the players was fully justified."