Joe Pigott fired AFC Wimbledon off the foot of the League One table by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Southend.
Pigott played a pivotal part in the Shrimpers winning promotion from League Two back in 2015, scoring an added-time equaliser in extra-time of the play-off final against Wycombe at Wembley.
But the striker returned to haunt his old club as he fired home his 13th goal of the season to decide an uneventful encounter played in blustery conditions.
Southend went closest to scoring in the first half with Michael Turner having a header tipped over by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
However, the Dons had the better of the second half and opened the scoring in the 67th minute when Pigott capitalised on a defensive mix up between Turner and keeper Mark Oxley to fire home.
The victory pushed the Dons up to 22nd in the table, three points behind their opponents who have slipped to fifth from bottom - a point above the relegation zone - after a run of 10 games without a win.