TRANMERE 1
SOUTHEND 0
Antony Kay ensured Southend will have to try their luck in the play-offs after his goal gave Tranmere victory.
The Shrimpers had harboured hopes of automatic promotion before the game, but results elsewhere conspired against them.
Charlie Mulgrew almost gave the visitors an early lead when he overhit a free-kick from wide and Rovers keeper Danny Coyne had to be alert to tip the ball over the bar.
Kay could then have put the hosts ahead after 26 minutes, but he headed Andy Taylor's cross wide.
Robbie Stockdale's cross was met by Shane Sherriff, but the Australian volleyed over the bar.
The best chance of the first 45 minutes came when Tommy Black picked out Alex Revell, whose header had to be tipped round the post by Coyne.
The deadlock was finally broken after 53 minutes when Sherriff delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left and Kay headed Rovers in front.
As Southend pressed for a way back, Alan McCormack fired a longrange effort wide and at the other end Kay forced Flahavan to parry his shot over the bar from a similar distance.
Stockdale was then denied by Flahavan before Gower picked out Revell, but the former Brighton man headed wide.
Southend manager Steve Tilson was not too downhearted after the game.
"Our good run had to come to an end some time," he said. "The pitch was not very good and there were not many chances."