A TURBULENT week ended in an incredibly exciting triumph for Southend United on Saturday.

The build up to the game was overshadowed by Nile Ranger being suspended by the club for a serious breach of discipline.

But what followed was arguably the most entertaining encounter since the Shrimpers won the 2015 League Two play-off final.

Blues initially seemed set for quite a comfortable afternoon when Marc-Antoine Fortune fired them in front before Rochdale were reduced to 10 men when Keith Keane was dismissed for bringing down Fortune when he was clean through on goal.

However, Southend’s recalled winger Jermaine McGlashan got himself needlessly sent off before half-time and, with the numbers levelled up, Rochdale began to pose far more of a threat.

Their spell of pressure eventually led to Calvin Andrew netting a fortuitous effort before in-form Dale, who had won their previous six games, wasted further opportunities to score in front of goal.

But the missed chances came back to haunt Keith Hill’s team right at the death when Simon Cox superbly fired home the 100th goal of the career to continue his fine scoring sequence.

Cox has now bagged five goals in his last five games and is showing the class and quality which previously saw him playing at a far higher level.

The former Nottingham Forest forward was paired with Fortune at the weekend due to Ranger’s latest misdemeanour which could yet lead to his contract being terminated at Roots Hall.

The controversial striker, who was very much in the last chance saloon at the Shrimpers even before this latest incident, was not seen at Saturday’s game.

But he could learn an awful lot from both of Blues’ goalscorers.

Fortune fired Southend in front and, despite having previously played in the Premier League and the Champions League, the 35-year-old continues to give his all his for Blues.

Alongside him, Cox brings added intelligence to the final third but is also prepared to work hard in pursuit of success and is still a real threat 12 years on from making his senior first team debut.

Their hunger, work ethic and professionalism has seen them both able to enjoy long careers - something someone with Ranger’s talent should also be able to secure.

Sadly, it remains unclear whether or not that can happen due to his off the pitch problems but he is still a popular figure among his team-mates who would undoubtedly have been saddened by his ongoing suspension.

But Phil Brown’s side showed great professionalism and determination to record their first victory of 2017, despite some indifferent decisions from referee Rob Lewis.

Both managers criticised the official in their after-match interviews but quite how Dale midfielder Matty Lund avoided being sent off at the start of the second half remains something of a mystery.

Ultimately, the decision did not prove decisive and the Shrimpers were still able to get back to winning ways.

Adding to their delight was also the return of Ben Coker who appeared for the first time since mid-November after recovering from an ankle ligament injury.

Coker’s arrival - as a second half substitute - enabled Michael Timlin to move back into midfield where his energy levels seemed to breathe life back into Blues late on.

That helped to conjure up an exciting conclusion which kept the Shrimpers seventh in the League One standings, just a point outside the play-off positions.

To sustain their challenge Brown will need to strengthen his squad wisely during the January transfer window with additional striking options now even more of a concern.

But Saturday showed the talent and togetherness currently in the Southend side and showed that they are capable of seeing off the very best teams at this level - whatever happens to Nile Ranger.