Sunderland will limp into the play-offs on the back of just one win in seven after they were defeated 2-1 by Southend at Roots Hall on the final day of the regular season.
With results elsewhere, Sunderland will meet Portsmouth in the play-off semi-finals.
The Black Cats trailed 1-0 after a poor first half where they were outshone by Southend all over the pitch. They improved slightly in the second half and with Southend nervously playing to stay in the division, the Black Cats took advantage and won a penalty through Charlie Wyke which was converted by Chris Maguire.
Going into the final five minutes a Sunderland goal would have given them a third placed finish and a favourable play-off semi-final against Doncaster Rovers.
Instead they conceded again at the death to lose a second consecutive game for the first time this season.
But how did they Black Cats players do in the match? Here's James Hunter's ratings.
JON McLAUGHLIN 6
Couldn't be blamed for the goals and made one decent save
ADAM MATTHEWS 5
Looked rusty on his first start for almost two months
TOM FLANAGAN 4
Poor defending led to both goals and he was part of that unit
ALIM OZTURK 4
Edgy throughout and Southend could have scored more goals
DENVER HUME 6
Best of a poor back four
LYNDEN GOOCH 3
Way below par, and it was no surprise when he was hooked soon after half-time
MAX POWER 5
Far from his best performance in red and white
GRANT LEADBITTER 5
Worked hard but Southend won the midfield battle
CHRIS MAGUIRE 6
Offered a threat and converted the penalty
CHARLIE WYKE 5
Won the penalty but did little else
WILL GRIGG 3
Very poor. Again
SUBS
LUKE O'NIEN 5
For Gooch 56mins. Made no impact as a number ten
KAZ STERLING 5
For Grigg 56mins. A couple of shots but failed to shine
DYLAN McGEOUCH 5
For Power 69mins. Couldn't turn the tide
NOT USED: Ruiter, Oviedo, Dunne, Connelly
