SOUTHEND United surged back to winning ways with a hard fought 2-0 victory at Millwall this afternoon.

Just seven days on from suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Shrewsbury Town, the Shrimpers produced a vastly improved display.

And Phil Brown’s side were rewarded by securing all three points, thanks to headers from David Mooney and Adam Barrett.

Blues made five changes to the starting line-up at the New Den and, after an even start to the game, they came close to scoring when David Worrall fired wide of the left post from 20 yards.

But the hosts soon hit back with Aiden O’Brien heading Jimmy Abdou’s right wing cross straight at Shrimpers’ shot-stopper Daniel Bentley.

After that half chance, both teams fought to get on top and, with 34 minutes on the clock, Millwall wasted a clearer opportunity to score when a quickly taken Tony Craig throw sent O’Brien free down the left hand side of the penalty area.

However, his low shot was blocked the advancing Bentley and Blues immediately made the most of the let off by taking the lead in the 37th minute, with Mooney on target.

The former Leyton Orient forward was picked out by a fine right wing cross from David Worrall and made no mistake with a firm near post header.

Millwall almost drew back level just three minutes later when Carlos Edwards’ right wing cross dropped invitingly to O’Brien but the striker could only slash his effort over the crossbar from 14 yards.

The miss increased in significance just four minutes after the break when Blues doubled their lead following a well worked free-kick down the left flank.

Michael Timlin, who was skippering the Shrimpers against his home-town club, received the ball back from Mooney before delivering a fine, left wing cross which Barrett powered into the back of the net with an emphatic header.

However, Barrett was injured in the process of scoring and was immediately replaced by Glen Rea.

The on loan Brighton defender lined up at left-back with Luke Prosser moving back into the middle alongside Cian Bolger.

The new look back four continued to look strong and the Shrimpers soon had strong penalty shouts waved away when Joe Pigott seemed to be hauled to the ground by Byron Webster having got goal-side of the Lions defender.

But referee Mark Haywood opted to wave play on and Millwall soon almost got back into the game when Steve Morison’s well struck half volleyed shot from 14 yards was superbly saved by Bentley who dived full length to his right to divert the effort t o safety.

Bentley was at it again in the 77th minute when he somehow got down low to his right hand side to deny O’Brien from six yards.

Blues boss Brown responded by making his second change of the afternoon as Myles Weston replaced Mooney in attack.

But it was still Millwall pushing forward in the closing stages with Bentley impressively pushing away a long range effort from Shaun Williams.

Blues replied by making their third and final change as Jason Williams replaced Pigott in the closing stages of a pleasing afternoon for the Shrimpers.