SOUTHEND United’s reserves triumphed 4-2 at local rivals Colchester United this afternoon.

Jemal Johnson bagged a brace while trailist Yannick Boli and Blair Sturrock were both on target.

But Blues could have won by more after the fit again Lee Sawyer also failed to score from the penalty spot.

That came after just nine minutes when U’s centre-back Tom Aldred was penalised for a foul on Boli in the area but Sawyer struck his low penalty against a post and the chance was gone.

Nevertheless, the visitors began to grow in confidence and only an impressive one-hand save from goalkeeper Carl Pentney midway through the first half prevented Sawyer from scoring with a powerful low shot.

However, Blues were not to be denied and opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Sturrock’s flick-on allowed Boli to convert past Pentney from close range, despite being off balance and under pressure from Aldred.

Southend then doubled their lead less than a minute later.

Colchester gave the ball away badly in midfield and, after Boli had advanced forward towards goal, he squared to Johnson who curled a good shot past Pentney and into the far corner.

Things got even worse for Colchester three minutes before the break when Johnson’s dangerous cross was flicked home from close range by Sturrock.

Colchester gave themselves a chance of getting back into the game less than a minute later through winger Ashley Vincent’s superb individual goal.

He jinked past two defenders inside the Southend area before firing a superb left-foot shot which flew into the top corner off the woodwork.

Aldred almost pulled another goal back for Colchester in the opening stages of the second half and Steven Gillespie also went close, as the hosts looked for a way back into the game.

Aldred’s goalbound header from Vincent’s corner was blocked on the goal-line midway through the second half but the U’s fell further behind with 20 minutes to go.

Johnson latched onto Sturrock’s assist and advanced clear of the Colchester defence before blasting past Pentney from close range.

Gillespie lashed in a fine free-kick from the edge of the area with four minutes to go but it was mere consolation for the U’s.

Southend United: Bentley, Furlonge, Prosser, Ferdinand (Nije 71), Ashworth, Artemi, Johnson, James-Lewis, Sturrock, Boli, Sawyer.

Subs not used: Agyakwa, Chambers, Stevens, Smith.

Colchester United: Pentney, Rose, Aldred, Hamilton, Duguid, Sanderson, O’Toole, James, Vincent, Gillespie, Arnott.

Subs not used: Gilbey, Olufemi, Wright, Phillips, Ladapo.