SOUTHEND manager Phil Brown believes his side’s visit to Bury was doomed from start to finish after a catalogue of disasters ended with the game being abandoned after less than seven minutes.

One of his strikers was involved in a car crash yesterday on the journey up to the North West and the Essex club’s coach broke down en route to the stadium today.

A torrential downpour that started 15 minutes before kick-off then put paid to the game with only six mins 38 secs on the clock.

“From 9am yesterday morning it has been an absolute disaster,” said Brown.

“Barry Corr was involved in a four-car pile-up on the A127, I was worried about whiplash and him being injured for the game.

“He carried on under his own steam and didn’t come on the coach.

“We were supposed to be training at Bolton Wanderers yesterday afternoon at 2pm but we didn’t arrive until 4pm, so didn’t start training until 4.30pm.

"Then, on the way here the coach breaks down, I’m sat there looking up thinking ‘what’s going on here - something is hanging over me’ and it’s continued five minutes into the game!”

Southend will now have to make a return journey for the rearranged fixture in the final month of the season, with the game likely to be played on Tuesday, April 21 or 28.