SOUTHEND United treated their supporters to a happy Halloween with a scare free 2-0 triumph at Macclesfield Town this afternoon.

Goals from Ryan Hall and Kane Ferdinand made sure of all three points for Paul Sturrock’s in form side at Moss Rose.

And Blues' latest triumph was also enough to push them back to the top of the League Two table.

Southend, who have now not lost for 10 matches, were on top early on and, with three minutes on the clock, Hall had a well struck 25 yard shot deflected wide of the left post by Macclesfield defender Nat Brown.

In reply, Silkmen midfielder Tony Diagne fired over from the edge of the penalty following a fine free flowing move but Blues then began to really pile on the pressure.

As a result, Michael Timlin soon saw a long range effort flash past the left post before an acrobatic overhead kick from Bilel Mohsni was tipped around the right post by Town goalkeeper Jose Veiga in the 24th minute of the match.

The Portuguese shot-stopper then did well to smother a skimming 25 yard shot from Timlin before the on loan midfielder also scuffed a right footed effort from a similar distance straight at the keeper.

But, with 39 minutes on the clock, Blues finally broke the deadlock, with Hall grabbing his sixth goal of the season.

The winger reacted quickest inside the penalty area after Town defender Shaun Brisley had headed out Timlin's deep ball in to the box and unleashed a well struck left footed volley from 16 yards which Veiga could only push in to the top left hand corner of the net.

The stunned Silkmen hit back with left-back Carl Tremarco registering their first effort of the afternoon on target just before the break when his 20 yard shot was easily saved by Blues goalkeeper Luke Daniels.

Macclesfield remained on top at the start of the second half with Colin Daniel shooting over from a narrow angle and, just moments later, Vinny Mukendi dragged an effort wide of the left post.

Having survived the scares, Southend responded with Timlin chipping over from 20 yards before Blues did make it 2-0 in the 62nd minute, following a left wing corner from Hall.

His dead ball delivery was met by the head of Peter Gilbert whose effort was blocked just in front of goal, enabling Ferdinand to pounce and slam a six yard shot in to the top right hand corner of the net.

Hall soon shot straight at Veiga from 20 yards before Mohsni headed over another Hall corner.

But Macclesfield then started to get back in to the game and, in the 73rd minute, Mukendi unleashed a powerful 25 yard shot which Daniels smartly smothered.

The on loan keeper was then called in to action again as he superbly tipped a Brown header around the right post before Mukendi dragged a 20 yard shot wide of the opposite upright.

However, Southend then regained their composure and, four minutes from time, Gilbert headed a left wing free-kick from Hall straight at Veiga from close range.

Mohsni then fired wide of the right post from the edge of the penalty area and, deep in to added on time, Liam Dickinson wasted a great chance to make it 3-0.

The striker raced clean through on goal after Brown slipped but his effort was saved by Veiga.

Substitute Ryan Leonard soon also shot wide from the edge of the penalty area but the missed opportunities did not matter as Blues bagged their ninth win in 10 games.