Lee Barnard's second-half double helped Southend see off ten-man Stockport 2-0.
Barnard scores second-half double to sink Stockport
Lee Barnard's second-half double helped Southend see off ten-man Stockport 2-0.
The United striker stroked home a penalty, then wrapped up victory in stoppage-time after his initial shot crashed back off the crossbar.
Stockport's Carl Baker saw an early free-kick from distance well saved by Steve Mildenhall.
Then just before the half-time whistle Southend full-back Simon Francis curled in a sweet 20-yard free-kick that bounced away to safety off the outside of a post.
But the visitors went in front when last man Paul Huntington hauled back Barnard on 55 minutes and was promptly red-carded, with Barnard dusting himself off to tuck home the resultant spot-kick.
Two minutes later it was almost 2-0 when George Friend volleyed against the post before Barnard wrapped things up in injury time.
