SIMON Cox grabbed the 100th goal of his career to fire Southend United to a dramatic 2-1 win against Rochdale at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Irishman bagged a brilliant winning goal three minutes into stoppage time to secure all three points for the Shrimpers in a game which saw both teams shown red cards in the first half.

Blues seemed set for a routine win when Marc-Antoine Fortune fired them into a 15th minute lead and, just seven minutes, Dale centre-back Keith Keane was sent off for bringing down the Frenchman when he was clean through on goal.

But the Shrimpers had McGlashan sent off for a second bookable offence in the 34th minute and the visitors took advantage with Calvin Andrew bagging a 66th minute equaliser.

However, with the game heading into the last minute of stoppage time, Cox pounced to grab all three points for Phil Brown’s side.

Before the drama unfolded, Fortune scuffed a left footed shot straight at Rochdale goalkeeper Conrad Logan but, three minutes later, the experienced Frenchman opened the scoring with his first league for the Shrimpers.

Fortune was sent clean through on goal by McGlashan and kept his cool to round Logan and tap the ball into a gaping net.

Blues remained on top with Ryan Leonard having a long range shot smothered by Logan low down to right hand side before Dale suffered a further blow in the 22nd minute when centre-back Keane was shown a straight red card for bringing down Fortune when he was clean through on goal.

Anthon Wordsworth slammed the resulting free-kick against the crossbar from 20 yards before the visitors reshuffled with Reuben Noble-Lazarus replacing Steven Davies.

However, the Shrimpers were then also reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute when McGlashan was shown a second yellow card in quick succession for a foul on Ian Henderson.

Despite the winger’s dismissal, Blues remained on top with Fortune having a powerful shot parried to safety by Logan before Cox struck a well struck effort across the face of goal in the closing action of the first half.

After the break, the drama continued and the visitors were extremely fortunate to avoid another yellow card when Matt Lund somehow avoided being shown a second booking after giving away two free-kicks for indiscretions.

The second, for handball, saw referee Rob Lewis put his hand in his pocket before changing his mind, much to the frustration of the Shrimpers.

Dale boss Keith Hill immediately substituted Lund with Nathaniel Mende-Laing replacing the former Blues loanee in midfield.

But the visitors began to threaten with Andrew wasting two great opportunities in the air before substitute Jamie Allen saw a long range shot smartly gathered by Smith.

However, Rochdale continue to attack and drew back level in the 66th minute when Andrew cut in from the right hand side and unleashed a left footed shot which took a huge deflection before looping into the top left hand corner of the net.

In a bid to get back on top, Blues boss Phil Brown made his first change of the afternoon with the fit-again Ben Coker replacing the misfiring Wordsworth with Timlin moving into midfield.

Blues continued to battle with Fortune having another effort by Logan before Cox pounced right at the death to secure a vital three points for the Shrimpers.