BRITT Assombalonga returned to the score-sheet to fire Southend United to a 2-1 win at Wycombe Wanderers this afternoon.

The on loan Watford forward had gone 12 games without hitting the back of the net.

But, after his strike partner Barry Corr had cancelled out Dean Morgan’s opener for the Chairboys, Assombalonga drilled home an 18 yard shot to secure Paul Sturrock’s side a hard fought win.

Blues were not at their best in the first half and Morgan fired out an early warning after just four minutes when his low, left footed shot flashed across the face of goal.

But, three minutes later, the former Southend loanee broke the deadlock as Matt McClure rolled the ball back in to his path and the striker fired an impressive 18 yard shot in to the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Blues thought they had equalised in the 15th minute when Corr headed Kevan Hurst’s free-kick down in to the path of Assombalonga who headed home from close range but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Assombalonga continued to look lively in attack and was soon screaming for a penalty when he went down inside the area while under pressure from Chairboys centre back Dave Winfield.

However, referee Trevor Kettle opted to wave away the protests.

Assombalonga was involved again in the 36th minute when he cut in off the right flank and scuffed a low, left footed shot straight at Wycombe goalkeeper Jordan Archer.

But, just two minutes later, Blues were forced in to making their first change of the afternoon when captain Chris Barker limped off injured and was replaced at left-back by Anthony Straker.

Southend struggled to create chances for the remainder of the first half but were immediately on top after the break and levelled the scores in the 52nd minute, with Corr bagging his 10th goal of the season.

The Irishman reacted sharply when Ryan Cresswell headed down a left wing corner from Hurst and nodded the ball in to the back of the net from close range.

Blues remained on top after the equaliser and soon came close to taking the lead when Straker thundered a stunning 30 yard shot against the top of the crossbar.

Moments later, Corr had a low shot blocked by the legs of Chairboys goalkeeper Archer before the shot stopper also did well to parry out Corr’s powerful header from Hurst’s left wing corner.

After the sustained spell of pressure from the visitors, Wycombe began to look more solid and worked their way back in to the game.

But Southend responded to take the lead in the 86th minute when a fine flick from Hurst down the left hand side sent Assombalonga running down the flank.

The speedy forward then cut inside and fired a low 18 yard shot in to the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Wycombe hit back after the goal and almost netted a late leveller when McClure’s low shot was brilliant saved down to his right hand side by Smith and that ensured a return to winning ways for Blues.