Macclesfield Town 1 Southend United 2

The most important fact however is that Southend have deserved their recent away results and we can only hope that the upturn in fortunes eventually has a rub-on effect at home, and despite this crucial victory Steve Wignall's side remains in the relegation zone and three points against Northampton Town back in Essex in a weeks time are absolutely vital.

It was a most miserable day at Moss Rose, and praise musr go out to the 51 hardy souls - myself and co-editor Rob Craven included - who braved the immense first half downpours and remained on the open terrace behind the goal whilst the 102 remaining travelling fans settled for the shelter of the Alfred McAlpine Stand.

On to the match however it there is no doubt that it was the visitors who enjoyed the best of this encounter, but it was the Silkmen who created the first decent opportunity on eleven minutes, former Shrimpers frontman Martin Carruthers nodded a Danny Adams cross over the top of Darryl Flahavan's crossbar.

Just after the quarter hour mark however Southend came within inches of grabbing the lead when Neil Jenkins' audacious long range volley beat goalkeeperr Steve Wilson but bounced off the top of the bar. Then, seven minutes later a Mark Gower corner saw Kevin Maher's miskicked shot fall back out to the ex-Barnet man who's second centre into the box saw Duncan Jupp nod just wide of the upright.

Then, with only 25 minutes on the clock came a massive boost for United. Defender Michael Welch had already been softly booked by referee Mark Cooper when he suddenly saw red after being cautioned for a second time for a foul on Jupp. It was the second time in three season's that Welch had been given his marching orders against the Shrimpers at Moss Rose.

Southend now really had a firm grip of the initiative and a strong run by Tes Bramble resulted in Leon Constantine latching onto the ball before drilling a low shot at Wilson before, seconds later, Gower headed a Constantine cross just off target.

Flahavan was then called into action at the opposite end, pushing out an effort my Matthew Tipton before the same player saw his rebound headed away by David McSweeney.

As half time drew close a Gower cross was nodded wide of the post by Jenkins, but Southend had a firm hold of the game and took advantage early in the second period.

Bramble had already sent a low drive at Wilson when the powerful frontman picked the ball up in midfield before running goalward and knocking the ball across the area to Constantine who took a touch before slipping a shot past Wilson and into the net via the foot of the post.

That goal came just six minutes after the re-start and Macclesfield seemed to find it difficult to fight back, indeed Bramble stabbed a shot just wide following a fine Gower run only moments later and Jenkins then sent a neat 25 yard chip into the arms of Wilson.

On 59 minutes however Southend were gifted a fantastic chance to double their lead when referee Cooper adjudged that keeper Wilson had tripped Jupp and immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Of course the Shrimpers penalty woes have been well documented this season, but - in the shape of our fifth different taker of the campaign - upsyepped Jay Smith who confidently despatched his spot kick into the roof of the net before diving into the bundle of delirious supporters behind the goal.

Unfortunately the game never really kept up its tempo after Southend's killer second goal, but certainly nobody from Essex was complaining. Howevwe Jim Corbett, on as a substitute for Bramble, should have completely wrapped the match up on 82 minutes but, having been played clean through on goal, he saw his shot pushed around the post by Wilson.

United were given a scare a minute from time when te home side pulled back what was rather a surprise consolation, a low right wing cross finding Colin Little who placed a neat finish past Flahavan from 15 yards.

Southend, despite the four minutes of stoppage time, managed to comfortably hold on however and clocked up their first consecutive away victories since August 2002.

Macclesfield, who are level on points with United did just as their fans asked after the match, confirming the sacking of boss David Moss.