Sunderland moved to within three points of top spot in League One by making it four wins in a row by defeating play-off chasing Southend 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.

On a cold afternoon on Wearside, the Black Cats were too hot to handle for the Shrimpers even if there spells when the home side had defend well.

Overall though, with the exception of a couple of decent saves from Jon McLaughlin, Southend couldn't do anything about in-form Sunderland at the other end.

George Honeyman's glancing header from Lynden Gooch's cross in the 29th minute got things rolling before a Chris Maguire thunderbolt seven minutes into the second half effectively sealed the points.

There was still time for a third with 10 minutes remaining. Substitute Aiden McGeady drilled a low left foot effort inside Mark Oxley's bottom left corner following Josh Maja's lay off.

It was a win that secured a third consecutive clean sheet and moved Sunderland to within three points of leaders Portsmouth, even though they remain in third behind Peterborough, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot.

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