Southend won their first match in 12 games as they sealed a 3-0 win over Walsall at Roots Hall.
Shrimpers end barren run
Southend won their first match in 12 games as they sealed a 3-0 win over Walsall at Roots Hall.
The home side went ahead after just 19-minutes as Franck Moussa scored and just ten-minutes later Walsall were reduced to ten-man Clayton McDonald was sent-off.
Southend made sure they took advantage of their extra man and added two further goals in the second-half with Scott Spencer scoring and Moussa grabbing his second.
Moussa opened the scoring in the 19th minute following a long throw-in from Johnny Herd with a spectacular volley.
Fourteen minutes later, McDonald received his marching orders following an ugly challenge on Anthony Grant and it was the third time in four matches that Walsall had had a man red carded.
Although Matt Richards struck the Southend woodwork in a 25-yard free-kick just before the interval, the visitors spent most of the game repelling a series of Southend raids.
It was no surprise when the home side increased their lead six minutes into the second half when Moussa crossed from the left for Scott Spencer to head home from close range.
Man-of-the-match Moussa completed the scoring in the 89th minute when he directed a header beyond the reach of goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin following a right-wing cross from full-back Simon Francis.
