TEN man Southend United dug deep to secure a hard-working 1-0 win at Hartlepool this afternoon.

Shrimpers striker Freddy Eastwood bagged the only goal of the game after just five minutes.

But Blues were forced to play the entire second half a man down after Barry Corr was a shown a red card after clashing with Hartlepool defender Jack Baldwin.

Southend, who also won 1-0 on the opening day of the season against Plymouth Argyle, started brightly and took an early lead, after good work from Will Atkinson down the right hand side.

The Shrimpers winger latched on to weak defensive clearance before bursting in to the right hand side of the penalty area and delivering a drilled cross that Eastwood volleyed in to the back of the net from close range.

The home-side hit back with James Poole having an 18 yard shot impressively saved low down to his left hand side by Daniel Bentley before Hartlepool winger Jonathan Franks dragged a close range effort wide of the left upright.

Poole then had a powerful shot tipped over the crossbar by Bentley before the Shrimpers were reduced to 10 men, when Corr received his marching orders.

The Irishman was shown a straight red card after pushing in to the back of Baldwin and seemed incredibly unfortunate to be dismissed.

However, Blues worked hard in the second half to maintain their narrow advantage and Hartlepool rarely threatened as the visitors hung on to secure all three points.