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Following the embarrassing defeat at Hartlepool United three days previously, Southend returned to a more orthodox 4-4-2 formation with Manager Rob Newman replaced in the starting line-up by Barrington Belgrave.
The match got off to a very slow start, with the first action seeing referee Paul Alcock brandishing a yellow card at Ian Selley.
Good work involing Selley and Rawle saw the latter's fierce shot from 30 yards hit Steve Foster and bounce away for a corner in the eighth minute before Leon Cort beat Rovers striker Nathan Ellington in the air only to see his header drop as far as Sergio Ommel who shot well wide from 25 yards.
Rawle missed a fantastic opportunity on 22 minutes. Stuart Thurgood's right wing cross was touched back by Bramble to Rawle who somehow missed the target from just one yard. Rawle, trying to redeem himself, shot wide of Scott Howie's goal only a minute later.
Ellington's pacey run in the 28th minute eventually caused little danger as he stabbed the ball straight at the grateful Darryl Flahavan before Bramble, with his back to goal, brilliantly turned Foster before crashing a shot only inches wide of the upright.
As Rovers worked their way into the match, Lewis Hogg shot poorly wide following great build-up play by Ellington and Ommel, but the visitors grabbed the lead in the 36th minute. Stephen Broad knocking the ball directly into the path of Ellington who then mishit a chip hight over the head of Flahavan before dropping in off of the foot of the post.
However, United were behind for less than ten minutes, as in first half injury time Barrington Belgrave was brought down by Andy Thomson inside the penalty area and referee Alcock showed no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Bramble stepped up to put United level, placing the ball slightly right of centre to bring his eight game goal drought to a welcome end.
Foster bravely slid to block Rawle's path to go on 53 minutes before United scored what proved to be the winner four minutes later, Belgrave slipping a perfect pass through to Bramble who took two touches before nonchantly stabbing the ball past Howie.
Howie did well to prevent further damage in the 76th minute, clawing Belgrave's exquisite 20 yard chip out of the air after the Shrimpers frontman had benefitted from good work by Bramble.
As the match drew to a close, United were never under any real threat from their visitors, but the winning margin could have been extended as first Belgrave shot wide with an angled drive and then Brian Barry-Murphy shot at Howie having brought down Rawle's cross with his chest.
However, it's a more than welcome three points for the Shrimpers.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com