Southend ended their seven-match league run without a win as they saw off Northampton 1-0.
Stanislas settles Boxing Day contest
Southend ended their seven-match league run without a win as Junior Stanislas' injury-time winner saw off 10-man Northampton 1-0.
The 19-year-old, on-loan from West Ham, fired a free-kick over the wall and saw the ball bounce in front of Cobblers keeper Chris Dunn and into the net with 93 minutes on the clock.
Dunn had earlier dived at the feet of the onrushing Alex Revell as the striker bore down on goal, while at the other end Kyle Walker saw his 25-yard shot palmed clear by Blues keeper Steve Mildenhall.
The Cobblers had the last say of the half when Adebayo Akinfenwa toed a shot straight at Mildenhall.
Southend's best chance came on the hour mark when Stanislas beat two men but saw his shot deflect off Dunn for a corner.
The Cobblers were reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute when Abdul Osman was sent off for a second bookable offence, but Southend were unable to make their extra man count until Stanislas fired in the winner three minutes into stoppage time.
