Match Report

By Mark Wallis

Jay Smith was the solitary goalscorer at Gay Meadow

In a season where United's away form has been decent despite the abysmal run at home, the Shrimpers managed to chalk up their first Tuesday-night away win in the League for almost five years at Gay Meadow and it was a much improved performance from some of the dire shows that the supporters have had to witness in recent weeks.

Shrewsbury, who toppled Premiership high-flyers Everton, 2-1, in the FA Cup ten days earlier and face another home clash with Chelsea in just over a week, were always second best in this match as the Southend fans - just 61 in number - saw their side return to a more traditional and undoubtedly more effective 4-4-2 formation. Danny Gay once again deputised for the injured Darryl Flahavan, whilst Phil Whelan and Graeme Jones both missed out with knocks as Tes Bramble and David McSweeney were drafted into the starting line-up along with Steven Clark who replaced Tony Scully who has returned to Cambridge United after his loan spell. Daniel Marney was also given his first start.

Bramble partnered Mark Rawle on the forward line as Daryl Sutch moved into midfield with Mark Beard, captain for the night, shuffling back to right back.

The match was slow to come to life although the home side were having the better of the opening exchanges with young striker Luke Rodgers always looking likely to threaten, but Southend's defence, marshalled superbly in the middle by McSweeney and Leon Cort forever stood firm. The first real opportunity arrived in the 18th minute, Rodgers stabbing the ball over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.

However, just two minutes later with 20 minutes on the clock the match really swung into life as Southend stole the lead. Bramble burst into the box with a strong run from the right and drilled a low ball across the six-yard box with Jay Smith on hand to turn the ball in at the far post.

A piece of sportsmanship from the ever-controversial Nigel Jemson earned McSweeney a very harsh booking on 24 minutes before Ryan Lowe curled the resulting free-kick well over the bar.

Beard drove a low shot just wide following another strong Bramble run before Marney slipped a shot into the hands of Town goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin.

The last chance of the first half saw Clark played through on goal, but the winger took too long setting himself up Dunbavin was able to come off his line and block at the youngsters shot.

Amazingly, the first opportunity of the second period, seven minutes after the interval, saw an almost identical situation, but this time it was Rawle who pondered too long in the one-on-one situation and Dunbavin gathered the ball at the feet of the striker.

A Shrewsbury rally saw a great Rodgers run come to a halt courtesy of Cort's desperate goalline block before Rodgers was soon at it again, this time firing just over the top following a Jemson knock-back. Substitute Karl Murray was very fortunate however that referee Mike Pike missed his deliberate off the ball swipe at Jay Smith.

Steve Jagielka's volley dropped safely into the arms of Gay before Bramble shot just over Dunbavin's crossbar from 20 yards. Minutes later and Smith dragged another effort just wide of Dunbavin's upright.

On 77 minutes, Smith latched onto a Bramble pass, twisted and turned on the penalty spot before firing in a low shot which Dunbavin did very well to push around the post. The resulting Marney corner saw Cort's header scrambled away from right underneath the crossbar.

Bramble perhaps should have done better when, unmarked, he headed a Rawle cross off target on 87 minutes and after Dunbavin had strayed away from his goal the Shrewsbury stopper managed to scramble back to keep out Bramble's long range goalbound effort.

As Southend hung on to clinch a most vital victory it was indeed the Shrimpers who enjoyed the last chance of the match when Damon Searle drove a shot just wide of the post from the edge of the box.

A most welcome, and certainly most needed victory for the Shrimpers that lifts them up two places to fifteenth in the Division Three table above Darlington and Saturday's Roots Hall opponents, Rochdale.