Bile Mohsni: 'I ran past their defender to score'
The gulf in league position of the two sides played out on the pitch, but after Ryan Hall had given the Shrimpers the lead in the 17th minute, only 19 more had passed when the returning Bilel Mohsni, who else, doubled our lead in debatable circumstances.
A typical Hall cross was met by Moshni at the back post who scored, however the referee's assistant had his flag raised and the goal seemed to be disallowed for offside.
Bilel, as is his way, was shocked, as were the majority of the travelling faithful, as most had seen the Frenchman starting his run from behind the Barnet defender, and he decided to have a word.
The man in black Andy Woolmer then went over to chat with his linesman, and after what seemed longer than the four minutes given as stoppage time before the break, pointed to the centre circle, the goal stood!
Now that didn't go down well with the Barnet players as you can imagine, I'm sure Mr. Sanchez will have a few words about the incident soon enough. (He has: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk)
Bilel Mohsni gave his opinion to the Echo after the game re the bizarre events that surrounded his fifth strike of the season: 'I was never offside so the referee got it right. I couldn't believe it was disallowed, I ran past their defender to score.'
It was a late call by the lino, but even from my poor position squashed at the back of the stand you could clearly see that Bilel was behind the back four man when he made his move; poor decison by the official, correct call by the ref, blimey I might be handing out an 8 in my match report, it will be up in the morning after my beauty sleep, now that would be a first.
20 minutes from time Bees defender Darren Dennehy was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for cynically pulling back Ryan Hall as he was about to enter the 12-yard box.
Subsitute Neil Harris wrapped up the points when he converted an excellent low cross from Ryan Leonard on 85 minutes.
Chris Barker though, man-of-the-match for me, 9!
Other than that, a very workman like performance that was just too good for the bottom two Bees who are going to have a long hard winter.
Luke Daniels looked OK in goal after a couple of early dodgy moments, poor sod, they got the penalty before he'd even touched the ball, and solid performances by Mark Phillips, the returning Anthony Grant in midfield along with Michael Timlin, again!
The S24 Report: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
Official match report: www.southendunited.co.uk
A local view: www.times-series.co.uk
Shrimpers sting Bees to stay second: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk