Scunthorpe 4-1 Southend: Stuart McCall's side ease relegation fears

Scunthorpe eased their relegation fears as three goals in 10 second-half minutes earned them a 4-1 victory over fellow strugglers Southend.

The Shrimpers had made the best possible start by taking the lead in the third minute when Simon Cox chested down Sam Hart's ball into the penalty area before sliding his shot into the bottom far corner.

But after that, it all went wrong for Chris Powell's side - who are now without a win in nine games.

Scunthorpe equalised with 23 minutes gone - moments after Lee Novak and Rory McArdle had been denied from point-blank range with blocks on the line.

Full-back Tom Pearce appeared as surprised as anyone to see his deep cross from out on the left touchline fly over keeper Nathan Bishop and nestle into the far corner.

Following an evenly-matched opening 45 minutes, Scunthorpe took command after the break.

They went in front in the 68th minute, when Tony McMahon met a right-wing corner and the ball looped into the back of the net, and five minutes later George Thomas gave his side some daylight when capitalising on a slip by Bishop to meet Novak's knockdown and flick the ball home.

James Perch provided the icing on the cake 12 minutes from time, racing into the box unmarked to meet McMahon's curling free-kick and plant a powerful header beyond Bishop to seal Scunthorpe's first win in five games.

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