Shaun Goater?s chances of playing one last big match in his career are over.

The veteran Bermudian was part of a Southend team who were dumped out of the FA Cup second round on Saturday by Milton Keynes Dons, thus denying him a place in the third round when the Premiership and Championship clubs enter the competition.

His side were beaten 2-1 by the League One side formerly known as Wimbledon and are now out of all cup competitions leaving them free to concentrate on the league campaign and fight for a place in the play-offs ? they are currently third in the table.

MK Dons took the lead from the spot at Roots Hall through Izale McLeod after 15 minutes although Goater?s partner Freddy Eastwood tied things up after 57 minutes with his tenth goal of the season. But sub Gary Smith struck for the visitors in the 70th minute with a solo effort that piled the misery on Steve Tilson?s Shrimpers.

They return to league action tomorrow against Chesterfield hoping to arrest a slide that has seen them lose three league matches in a row and toppled off the top of the table, a position they reached after eight straight wins.

Meanwhile in America, John Barry Nusum continued his record of notching points in every game this season, scoring a first-quarter goal on his way to helping the Philadelphia KiXX?s to a 10-5 victory over the expansion California Cougars at the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday in the Major Indoor Soccer League.

Last year?s Rookie of the Year is leading his team in scoring with five points ? three goals, two assists ? in the opening four games.