Freddie Eastwood's goal sent Southend to the top of League One.
Southend recorded a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest to send the club to the top of League One.
Steve Tilson's Shrimpers can also celebrate a club record eight straight victories as Freddy Eastwood's late poacher's finish felled Forest.
Southend's victory could have been by a greater margin had it not been for the poor finishing of Wayne Gray and the usually reliable Shaun Goater.
It was Eastwood's second half substitution that ignited an otherwise disappointing spectacle and the former West Ham trainee was on hand to profit from Mark Bentley's knockdown to steer past Russell Hoult from close range.
Gary Megson will have left Roots Hall disappointed after Forest's recent resurgence ground to a halt.
Brentford made life hard for themselves at Oldham's Boundary Park but still emerged 1-0 victors.
In an entertaining encounter, Brentford were handed the opportunity to take a first half lead after Guy Branston's foul on Lloyd Owusu gave The Bees a penalty.
Kevin O'Connor's spot kick was placed too near to goalkeeper Chris Day who made the parry and ten minutes into the second half Martin Allen's side appeared to have self-destructed.
Branston was once more involved as first half substitute DJ Campbell caught the former Rotherham defender with a flailing elbow leaving referee Bates with no option but to produce the red card.
However, the 10 men produced a stunning reprisal when, with one of his first touches, substitute Scott Fitzgerald scored what proved to be a 66th minute winner.
The win sees Brentford consolidate their position in third and close on the heels of leaders Swansea and Southend. Ronnie Moore's side drop a place to 15th.
A Greg Halford-inspired Colchester defeated Blackpool 2-1 in a dramatic finale at Bloomfield Road.
Colchester made the early headway and after Leslie Pogliacomi's error Kem Izzet fed Halford (pictured) who chipped the embarassed goalkeeper to earn the visitors a 16th minute lead.
The score stayed the same until a minute from time when Tommy Wright appeared to have hit a dramatic last-minute equaliser for The Seasiders.
However Halford was to have the last laugh as he fired the winner with just seconds remaining.
Colchester rise four places to 13th while Colin Hendry's side continue to hover just above the relegation zone.
Click below for individual match summaries:
Blackpool 1-2 Colchester
Oldham 0-1 Brentford
Southend 1-0 Nottingham Forest
