DISAPPOINTED Sam Vokes admitted it could've been a different story at Southend had he continued his prolific form by converting an early chance.

The homegrown forward, who has averaged better than a goal every other game since the middle of December, fired over the bar from close range in the seventh minute at Roots Hall, having been put in the clear by Jo Kuffour with the game goalless.

"I suppose if I'd finished that it would have been a different game. It was just a disappointing game," the Welsh under-21 star told the Daily Echo.

"It was a big chance for us to take the lead, but unfortunately I missed it - some go in and some don't."

The missed opportunity was immediately punished as Lee Barnard opened the scoring at the other end. The hosts went on to win a dour match 2-1.

"It was very disappointing, I think it's a game we could have got three points from," said Vokes.

"We thought it was a game we could have taken to them in the second half."

Despite the defeat leaving Cherries with a huge mountain to climb, Vokes insisted the south coast side still harboured hopes of League One survival.

He said: "It's a massive game next weekend and, if we win, it keeps Cheltenham down there.

"It's not over until it's over."