THEO Robinson bagged a fine hat-trick to fire Southend United to a 4-0 win against MK Dons at Roots Hall.

The striker became the first Shrimpers player since Bilel Mohsni in 2012 to score three goals in the same game.

And Robinson’s trio also heaped further misery on struggling MK Dons who now seem certain to be relegated.

Blues began the clash brightly and, with 16 minutes on the clock, the home-side wasted a decent chance to open the scoring when Jason Demetriou’s right wing cross teed up Michael Kightly, only for the winger to send his 12 yard shot over the crossbar.

But, seven minutes later, the Shrimpers broke the deadlock with Robinson on target.

The striker – who also netted in his previous start against Gillingham – reacted sharply after Dru Yearwood had been parried out by Dons goalkeeper Wieger Sietsma and fired the rebound into the back of the North Bank net.

Robinson was soon celebrating again as he doubled Blues’ lead with an excellent effort in the 31st minute of the match.

The striker was teed up by Michael Timlin and netted with a delightful chip from the left hand side of the penalty area which curled into the top right hand corner of the net.

Dons soon wasted a good opportunity to get back in the game with Chucks Aneke firing wide of the left post when clean through on goal.

Marcus Tavernier then sent a 20 yard shot inches wide of the left post for the visitors before Blues came close to extending their lead on the stroke of half-time with Marc-Antoine Fortune and Stephen McLaughlin both being denied by Dons goalkeeper Wieger Sietsma.

But, with 62 minutes on the clock, the Shrimpers finally extended their lead when a fine free kick from the left hand side by Kightly was headed into the right hand side of the net by McLaughlin for his seventh goal of the season.

Nine minutes later, Blues boss Chris Powell made a double change with Shayon Harrison replacing Kightly and Harry Kyprianou taking the place of an injured Anton Ferdinand.

And, in the 76th minute, the new look Shrimpers completed the scoring when McLaughlin’s left wing corner was headed down by Kyprianou, enabling Robinson to smash home his third goal of the afternoon from close range.

However, the excitement did not stop there as Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley pulled off a stunning double save in the dying seconds as he kept out efforts from Aneke and Kieran Agard in quick succession.