ADAM Thompson marked his return to the starting line-up by firing Southend United to a 1-0 win against Chesterfield at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The centre-back – who had been on the bench for the Shrimpers’ last three league games – netted the only goal of the game with a neatly struck half volley in the first half.

And Thompson’s effort also saw Blues get back to winning ways after suffering a 3-0 defeat at Rochdale last Saturday.

Southend threatened first after 16 minutes when Simon Cox’s looping header was easily gathered by Chesterfield goalkeeper Ryan Fulton .

But, 13 minutes later, the Shrimpers broke the deadlock with the recalled Thompson on target.

The centre-back neatly controlled an attempted Spreites clearance from Anthony Wordsworth’s left wing cross and drilled an impressive rising shot into the roof of the net from just inside the penalty area.

Moments later, Nile Ranger headed over a left wing free-kick from Wordsworth before Chesterfield came come close to equalising when Kristian Dennis’ goalbound was blocked by the legs of the on-rushing Mark Oxley.

Blues soon hit back with Fulton getting down well to keep out Ranger’s header from Wordsworth’s right wing corner before the fit again striker fired wide of the left post from long range at the start of the second half.

After that, goalscoring chances remained few and far between but in a bid to liven up his side Shrimpers boss Phil Brown made his first substitution of the afternoon in the 69th minute with Jermaine McGlashan coming on to replace Stephen McLaughlin down the left hand side.

However, Chesterfield threatened next as Oxley somehow spilled a deflected Gboly Ariyibi cross but Thompson spared the goalkeeper’s blushes as he deflected Jon Nolan’s follow up effort wide for a corner.

After surviving the scare, the Shrimpers made their second change with Marc-Antoine Fortune coming on to replace Ranger in attack and helped the home-side hang on to their narrow lead to secure a very welcome win.