Coventry City were beaten 3-0 at ten men Southend United.
Despite drawing with Walsall and losing to Burton Albion, the Sky Blue support was out in force with around 1800 City supporters making their way to Roots Hall.
Those who made it to this Essex enclave saw City boss Tony Mowbray name a side without the injured Armstrong but one which gave Stephen Hunt a debut.
Southend took the lead in the 23rd minute when a mistake gave the ball back to Jack Payne and he finished low into the net.
Six minutes later and City were two goals down when Tyrone Barnett was not stopped as he drove low into the net.
City were booed off by the travelling support who saw James Maddison introduced for the second half.
Southend were down to ten men in the 51st minute when Gary Deegan was sent off for a second bookable.
In the 66th minute, City were three goals down when Atkinson was brought down by Charles-Cook and Barnett converted the penalty to send City to a 3-0 defeat.
City: Charles-Cook (GK), Ricketts (C), Ramage, Stokes, Haynes (Lameiras 55), Vincelot (Fortune 59), Bigirimana, O'Brien, Cole, Hunt, Tudgay (Maddison 46) Subs: Burge (GK), Phillips, Lorentzson, Rose.