Carlisle, who had only five League points just a week before Christmas, have been the Division’s in-form side at home since the turn of the year, and previous to this clash, had not been defeated in Cumbria since Mansfield Town returned triumphant in mid-November.

Indeed this vital victory was a massive three points for Southend, who move into seventeenth spot – but amazingly only three points away from the top half of the table – and all but suggested that Carlisle, after years of struggle, will more than likely be one of the two sides to lose their League status come May. It’s far from over, but the Cumbrians have got a lot of work to do and the disagraceful behaviour of their frustrated supporters after this clash perhaps epitomised the feeling around the Great Border City, not, of course that that in any way provides a reasoning for the home supporters to throw coins and spit at the away supporters, it’s something nobody wants to see and hopefully will be looked into further.

Shrimpers new recruit, 20-year Arsenal loanee Nicky Nicolou fitted in perfectly at left back whilst Mark Bentley, cup-tied for the LDV Vans Trophy Final defeat against Blackpool six days earlier strode back into the midfield, striker Lawrie Dudfield however was still missing having come down with an illness.

Southend took some time to get into their flow in what was quite a drab opening period, whilst the home side were content to move forward quickly without really causing the visitor’s any serious problems.

It was however the Division’s bottom side who grabbed the first half chance in just the third minute when Craig Farrell stabbed a shot wide of Darryl Flahavan’s upright before, some ten minutes later former Southend trialist goalkeeper Matthew Glennon dis well to gather Mark Gower’s stinging long range shot at the second attempt.

A dangerous Carl Pettefer cross saw Drewe Broughton’s header blocked before Gower shot over the top before the final action of the first half saw Flahavan easily hold onto a Farrell free kick.

After the interval, Southend really came intoi their own, and the curse of their bogey ground was all of a sudden lifted.

The Shrimpers threatened as early on as two minutes after the re-start when Leon Constantine brilliantly shrugged off Peter Murphy before sprinting clear and lifting a chipped shot inches over the crossbar.

However, on 50 minutes the goal came and it was courtesy of another piece of excellent play from leading goalscorer Constantine who won the ball himself in midfield before taking on, and beating, the Carlisle defence before slipping a fabuolous right fotted shot past Glennon and into the bottom left hand corner. It was the 26-year old’s nineteenth strike of the campaign, little did we know that the twentieth would not be to far away.

Indeed, the visitor’s advantage was doubled on 77 minutes from a slightly controversial penalty. Mark Bentley’s low, driven free kick bounced off the boot of substitute Adam Rundle and hit him on the hand, and referee Lee Mason had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot for what amazingly became Southend’s fourteenth spot-kick of the season.

But it was all straightforward. Constantine neatly tucked away the penalty into the roof of the net, but Pettefer was adjudged to have stepped into the penalty area and thus the kick had to be retaken. Constantine’s second effort went into the bottom left hand corner and to the delight of his team mates and the travelling supporters, sent keeper Glennon the wrong way.

In the meantime, inspirational midfielder Bentley had seen a free kick held by Glennon and Andy Preece, one time player-manager of Bury, headed over from a good position following a run and cross by Farrell.

Glennon was tested again by the Essex side on 85 minutes as Constantine, searching for a hat-trick, nodded a cross from substitute Neil Jenkins straight into the custodians arms before a nervous ending was ensured when the home side pulled a goal back with three minutes left on the clock. A low ball from the right found Farrell on the edge of the box who turned and fired an impressive low finish past the dive of Flahavan.

Southend however had no problems in holding on to clinch a most important victory. It’s now onto Scunthorpe United at Roots Hall on Friday night where a victory will send Southend into the top half of the table for a day at least.

And finally, a mention must go to Leon Constantine for becoming the first Shrimper since Brett Angell in 1991-2 to score twenty goals in a season. Long may it continue!

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com