Liam Dickinson: On target again from the spot for goal no.5
It's taken five years and the odd bit of financial trouble but the Shrimpers faithful can finally sing again that 'we are top of the league.'
Not the greatest game of skill but, hey, this is the bottom tier, and getting out of it is all that matters, a three goal difference may be harsh on the away side, but I've been there, so you learn to take it when events on the pitch go your way.
Anyway, the facts..........
Liam Dickinson dispatched his spot-kick into the bottom-right corner in the 27th minute with Town goalkeeper Ben Smith diving in the opposite direction, after Jermaine Grandison had needlessly shoved Harris in the box.
(Interesting decision, but seeing as referee Ward didn't give a far more obvious foul in the box in the second half I'd say evens; but sadly, he really is a poor, and small, match official.)
Mark Phillips stabbed home a loose ball after Smith fumbled Ryan Hall's free-kick in the first minute of stoppage time before Neil Harris put the final nail in the coffin with a last-gasp penalty following Shane Cansdell-Sherriff's foul.
The Shrimpers took the initiative from the off, Jean-Paul Kalala's crossfield pass finding Dickinson, who forced a good save out of Smith at the left post, before the Shrewsbury keeper pulled off a fine double save to keep the Blues at bay.
Shrewsbury hit back with James Collins forcing a save out of Glenn Morris before Southend wasted some good chances to increase their lead. They nearly paid the price when Grandison smashed a shot off the underside of the bar, but Phillips took advantage to slot home after Smith failed to control Hall's free-kick.
And Harris' penalty kick into the top centre of the goal following Cansdell-Sherriff's foul on Hall confirmed the victory.
JP Kalala has a great game in midfield and was our M-O-M with a 9 out of 10! Full player markings up Sunday.
(There will be a more comprehensive report Sunday morning, and we promise you don't have to wait three days this time, but our correspondant took full advantage of the one pound drinks offer and then wants to watch the rugby! You just can't get the staff nowadays!)
Official match report: www.southendunited.co.uk
A local view: www.shrewsburytown.com
No luck for Di Canio: http://news.bbc.co.uk
Top of League Two - Enjoy!
| 1 | Southend United | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 11 | 22 | +7 | ||||
| 2 | Morecambe | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 8 | 20 | +13 | ||||
| 3 | Shrewsbury Town | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 12 | 20 | +3 | ||||
| 4 | Crawley Town | 10 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 17 | 19 | +2 | ||||
| 5 | Rotherham United | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 21 | 16 | 18 | +5 | ||||
| 6 | Gillingham | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 11 | 17 | +7 | ||||
| 7 | AFC Wimbledon | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 16 | 17 | +1 | ||||