BARRY Corr’s second half header extended the festive celebrations for Southend United with a well deserved 1-0 win at Cambridge United this afternoon.

Corr nodded home his fifth goal of the season to secure all three points for the Shrimpers at the Abbey Stadium.

But Phil Brown’s side should have won by a far greater margin.

Blues started strongly and came close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute when Jack Payne burst through and sent a well struck 16 yard shot crashing against the crossbar.

Moments later, Corr also went close when he volleyed wide of the right post from close range before Cambridge began to get back in to the game.

As a result, Josh Coulsen soon had a firm header tipped over the crossbar by Blues’ goalkeeper Daniel Bentley before Ryan Leonard did well to also clear another goalbound from the Cambridge centre-back.

After surviving the scares, Southend replied and should have made more of an opportunity just before the break when Corr broke the offside trap to charge through on goal.

But the Irishman bizarrely opted to delay shooting and allowed a relieved Ian Miller to chase back and clear the ball for a corner.

That ensured the first half ended without a goal but, in a bid to make themselves far more of a threat in the final third, Cambridge made two changes at the break with two former Blues transfer targets – Kwesi Appiah and Jordan Chiedozie – both going off.

They were replaced by Ryan Bird and Adam Cunnington but it was still the Shrimpers on top.

And, in the 57th minute, they made their pressure count when David Worrall’s well placed right wing cross was met by Corr who nodded in to the back of the net from 10 yards.

With Southend remaining on top, Kevan Hurst then fired against the foot of the left post before Leonard had a well struck long range effort tipped wide of the opposite upright by Cambridge goalkeeper Chris Dunn.

Payne then headed straight at Dunn after more excellent approach play from Hurst and the Shrimpers then made three substitutes in quick succession.

Myles Weston, Michael Timlin and Shaq Coulthirst all entered the action and were momentarily fearing the worse when Wesley Atkinson’s left wing cross fizzed across the penalty area.

But Ben Coker was on hand to clear the danger and Blues almost double their lead right at the death when Payne’s close range shot was well saved by Dunn.

Southend United: Bentley, White, Bolger, Prosser, Coker, Worrall (Weston 76), Leonard, Atkinson (Timlin 79), Hurst (Coulthirst 85), Payne, Corr

Subs not used: P Smith, Williams, Clifford & Matsuzaka