This victory, United’s second in a row, lifts themselves above the Northamptonshire side in the League Two table and with showings like this Steve Tilson can look forward to some much improved results in the coming weeks.
This was the Shrimpers biggest away victory for nearly three years, going back to an October 2001 LDV Vans Trophy victory at Stevenage Borough. The home side ended the match with just nine men, with Rob Gier sent-off for a foul on Lawrie Dudfield, which led to the penalty which saw the Shrimpers regain the advantage, and Andy Burgess limped off with ten minutes left with Diamonds having used all their allocated substitutes.
It was Southend, wearing their sky blue change shirts for the first time, who made the running straight from the off with Dudfield stabbing a shot into the arms of Billy Turley virtually straight from kick-off.
Skipper Kevin Maher, playing his last game before a one-match ban, brilliantly won a ball in midfield before threading a fine pass through to Mark Gower whose shot was well held by Turley.
A Maher free kick brought a fine stop by Turley, tipping the ball around the upright, before, on 18 minutes, Blues took the lead.
An inswinging Gower corner was knocked down by Barrett and Dudfield reacted the quickest to stab the ball home at the far post. (0-1)
With United continuing to come forward Tesfaye Bramble’s diving header flew just off target before the Shrimpers were denied what seemed a clear penalty when Bramble was hauled to the floor by Phil Gulliver.
However, undettered, Tilson’s men still came forward and Pettefer dragged an effort just wide before a cross from the ex-Portsmouth player saw Bramble head over Turley’s crossbar.
Southend were dealt a blow eight minutes before the interval when goalkeeper Bart Griemink was escorted off the pitch with the need of a stretcher, to be replaced, of course, by Darryl Flahavan.
United’s newly-introduced goalkeeper was quickly required as Peter Hawkins shot was easily dealt with.
Half-time: Rushden & Diamonds 0 Southend United 1
For the first time in the match, Rushden came at United in the early moments of the second half., and grabbed an equaliser on 50 minutes. Spencer Prior dallied on the ball and Burgess seized upon the opportunity before coolly curling a shot past Flahavan. (1-1)
The best of a couple more half chances for the home side saw Alex Hay scuff an effort wide, but only four minutes after the leveller United, crucially, found themselves back in the lead.
Dudfield chased down a long ball, and having found himself running clear at goal his run, right on the edge of the area, was abruptly brought to an end courtesy of a lunging tackle by Gier.
Referee Probert had no choice but to dismiss Probert, but controversially awarded United a spot-kick despite the challenge looking, just, outside the area. Nevertheless Dudfield completed his brace by striking an almost perfect spot-kick into the top right hand corner. (1-2)
Having got themselves back in the lead, Southend once again began to dominate their hosts, and looking to increase their lead, Dudfield chased down a through ball before lobbing his shot just wide of the post. The same player then saw an angled effort zip inches off target.
Turley just about managed to hang onto a fierce Gower effort at the second attempt before Southend could maybe have had another penalty when Gower was barged to the floor by Andrew Sambrook.
Then, with 70 minutes on the clock the Shrimpers did extent their lead when Maher’s pinpoint corner saw Bramble firmly head home from ten yards. (1-3)
Flahavan then did well to cling onto a Kevin Braniff effort before, back to the other end, Bentley cut in from the goalline before seeing his fierce drive blocked by the legs of Turley at the near post, seconds later the ex-Dagenham & Redbridge man saw another shot fly just wide of the post.
Then, in the final minute the rout was completed when Maher’s free kick bounced into the net off of the unfortunate David Bell. (1-4)
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CRAVEN'S MARKS OUT OF TEN and DAY TRIPPING will follow on Sunday and Monday.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com