SIMON Cox bagged a brace to fire Southend United to a 3-1 win against Charlton Athletic at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The striker – whose first effort was the 100th of his career in the League – was joined on the score-sheet by Michael Turner as the Shrimpers ended a run of four successive defeats.

Blues opened the scoring after just two minutes, with Cox bagging his sixth goal of the season.

The striker reacted sharply inside the six yard box and netted with a well-controlled close range finish.

The Shrimpers remained on top and doubled their lead in the 11th minute when a right wing free-kick from Anthony Wordsworth was headed into the bottom left hand corner of the net by Michael Turner.

Charlton soon hit back with Karlan Aherane-Grant firing wide from a narrow angle before the Shrimpers replied with Nile Ranger heading over from close range.

After the break, Blues winger Stephen McLaughlin had a well-struck shot smothered by Charlton goalkeeper Ben Amos before Charlton began to enjoy their own spell of pressure.

That resulted Ahearne-Grant firing straight at Oxley from 20 yards before Joe Aribo shot inches wide of the right post close range.

Southend replied with McLaughlin sending a low effort straight at Oxley but Charlton soon got back on top and halved Blues’ lead in the 66th minute with former Shrimpers loanee Ben Reeves on target.

The attacking midfielder was teed up by Josh Magennis following a left wing cross from Ricky Holmes and netted with a low, left footed shot.

Blues boss Phil Brown responded by making his first change of the afternoon in the 74th minute with Jermaine McGlashan replacing McLaughlin.

And five minutes the Shrimpers restored a two goal cushion, with Cox scoring his second goal of the game.

The striker reacted sharply in the penalty area and netted with a well struck volley from 10 yards to calm Blues’ nerves in the closing stages as they hung on to secure a return to winning ways.