THREE goals in the first 15 minutes saw Southend United surge to their first win of the season at Sheffield United tonight.

Blues headed to Bramall Lane on the back of a club record eight successive defeats.

But an own goal from Blades defender Jack O’Connell was followed by efforts from Stephen McLaughlin and Simon Cox to secure the Shrimpers a superb 3-0 victory.

Blues – who had not won away at Sheffield United since 1988 - took just five minutes to open the scoring, with the recalled Luke O’Neill playing a major part in the goal.

The midfielder – who was making his first league start since February - delivered a fine cross from the right hand side which Blades defender Jack O’Connell could only slice over the head of goalkeeper George Long and into the back of his own net.

The Shrimpers remained on top with Jason Demetriou having a well struck 25 yard shot tipped over the crossbar by Long but a second goal was not long in coming for Phil Brown’s side following some a fine attacking play from Cox in the 13th minute of the match.

The experienced striker beat Long to his own flick forward and, when presented with just one defender on the goal-line, Cox unselfishly squared the ball into the path of McLaughlin who tapped home into the unguarded goal.

Things soon got even better for the Blues as, just two minutes later, they made it 3-0 as debutant Nile Ranger advanced down the right hand and delivered a fantastic low cross which was fired home at the far post by Cox.

The effort saw Southend bag three goals in a first half since seeing off Torquay United back in November 2012.

But, just nine minutes after Cox’s first goal for the club, the visitors were forced into making a substitution as Ranger hobbled off to be replaced David Mooney in attack.

The rest of the first half featured very few goalscoring opportunities but, in a bid to get back into the game, the hosts made two changes at the break with Paul Coutts and Matt Done both coming on.

Shortly after their introductions, the Blades wasted a great chance to score with skipper Billy Sharp firing wide of the left post when he should have done much better.

The home-side continued to enjoy more of the ball but very rarely troubled a well organised Blues’ rearguard. And, in a further bid to become harder to break down, the Shrimpers brought Will Atkinson on for Cox and switched to a five man midfield in the 76th minute.

Three minutes from time Jason Williams also entered the action in place of the injured Mooney before Blues comfortably saw out the closing stages to record the most welcome of wins.