DAVID Worrall sent Southend United level on points with third placed Wycombe Wanderers after gunning down his former Bury side at Gigg Lane tonight.

Worrall, who spent two separate spells playing for the Shakers, came off the bench to brilliantly net the only goal of a huge game with an outstanding free-kick 16 minutes from time.

And the effort was enough to secure the Shrimpers a sixth win in succession as they boosted their automatic promotion hopes with a hard fought win.

Blues are now only below the third placed Chairboys on goal difference with two games to go.

But they were forced to work hard against fellow high-flyers Bury who enjoyed the better of the first half.

The Shakers went close to opening the scoring in the 16th minute of the match when Chris Hussey’s right wing corner was headed just wide of the right post by Shakers centre-back Nathan Cameron.

Moments later, Andrew Tutte fired over from 20 yards after some neat approach play from former Shrimpers winger Danny Mayor down the left hand side had created the chance.

With the Shakers remaining on top, Mayor soon saw a deflected effort land on the roof of the net before Tom Soares headed Mayor’s left wing cross inches wide of the right post from 12 yards.

Bury continued to enjoy more of the ball and, five minutes before the break, Ryan Lowe’s speculative effort from the left hand side of the penalty area was parried to safety in spectacular fashion by Southend goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

Bury caused similar problems at the start of the second half with Mayor sending a deflected 20 yard shot onto the roof of the net.

But, in a bid to improve his side’s performance, Blues boss Phil Brown made a double change in the 55th minute of the match with Worrall replacing Stephen McLaughlin on the left flank and Jack Payne coming on for Jake Cassidy to play just behind Barry Corr in attack.

After the alterations, Payne teed up Gary Deegan who sent a low 25 yard shot straight at Bury goalkeeper Nick Pope before his fellow midfielder Michael Timlin fired wide of the right post from a similar distance.

In reply, Bury striker Ryan Lowe saw a low effort well held by Bentley before the Shrimpers superbly bagged the only goal of the game, with Worrall firing home an excellent free-kick in the 74th minute.

The set piece was awarded after Kelvin Etuhu had chopped down Payne 25 yards from goal and Worrall superbly made the most of the situation, curling a stunning effort into the top left hand corner of the net.

Shortly after taking the lead, Southend made their third change of the night with Myles Weston coming on for Will Atkinson.

But it was Bury who threatened next and only a stunning last ditch challenge from Ryan Leonard then stopped Danny Rose racing clean through on goal.

After that, the Shrimpers stood firm but Bentley was still forced to pull off a stunning last gasp save to stop Lowe from scoring as Southend secured a seventh clean sheet in succession to record their most important victory of the season so far.