A FIRST HALF brace from Joe Pigott ended Southend United’s Tuesday night Roots Hall hoodoo with a 2-0 triumph against Cheltenham Town this evening.

The on loan Charlton Athletic striker took his tally to four goals in six games with two fine finishes.

And his efforts were enough to secure the Shrimpers their first Tuesday night home league victory in 41 months.

Blues, who have now lost just once in their last 16 league games, opened the scoring after just nine minutes, with Pigott on target.

The striker reacted sharply after Jake Cassidy’s back post header from John White’s right wing cross had been parried out by Robins goalkeeper Trevor Carson and he made no mistake with a clinical, close range finish.

Moments later, Michael Timlin - who was making his 150th appearance for the Shrimpers, saw a low 20 yard shot tipped wide of the left post by Carson.

But Blues were not to be denied for long and they doubled their lead in the 34th minute, with Pigott netting his second of the evening.

The 21-year-old was picked out by Ben Coker’s left wing free-kick and guided a brilliant header in to the bottom left hand corner of the net from 12 yards.

With the Shrimpers continuing to attack, Will Atkinson soon had a low effort smothered by Carson before Phil Brown’s side came close to extending their lead on the stroke of half-time when White headed Coker’s right wing corner against the left post.

After the break, Cheltenham almost got back in to the game when Jake Gray’s right wing corner picked out captain Matt Taylor but his header was cleared off the line by Timlin.

But, following that, there was little goalmouth action as the second half struggled to match the excitement of the first.

However, the Roots Hall faithful were momentarily lifted in the 67th minute when Adam Barrett came off the bench to replace the injured Coker.

The defender, who made 289 appearances during his first spell with the Shrimpers, was given a rapturous reception on his return as he fitted in alongside Adam Thompson at the heart of the back four.

The enforced change saw Jerome Binnom-Williams switch to left-back and Blues’ soon made a further change with Myles Weston coming on to replace Jack Payne.

After the alterations, the hat-trick hunting Pigott curled a 20 yard shot straight at Carson before Southend made their third and final change in the 78th minute with Kevan Hurst taking the place of Cassidy.

The fresh faces were unable to spark the Shrimpers back in to life as the game fizzled out.

But by then the damage had already been done as Blues’ secured their fourth win in five games.