ADAM Thompson’s first goal in a Southend United shirt secured the Shrimpers a 1-0 win against Blackpool at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The centre-back started and finished a fine move 14 minutes from time.

And the header was enough to end a run of four league games without a win for Phil Brown’s side.

Blues had earlier gone close to scoring in the opening exchanges when Kevan Hurst sent a tame half volley straight at the Blackpool goalkeeper Dean Lyness before the recalled winger was teed up by a fine pass from Jack Payne, only for visiting defender Clark Robertson to stop him shooting with a well-timed sliding tackle.

Moments later, Hurst cut in off the left flank before dragging a low, 20 yard shot wide of the left post But, with Blues pushing for an opening goal, David Mooney soon also sent an angled effort wide of the left upright before Southend wasted a clearer chance to score when David Ferguson’s poor back pass provided Hurst with an excellent opportunity in front of goal.

However, the winger again delayed shooting, allowing Tom Aldred to track back and deny the winger another effort at goal.

Those missed opportunities also returned to haunt the Shrimpers in the 26th minute, when Andy Little came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock.

The on loan Preston North End, who was making his debut in attack, reacted sharply when Aldred nodded down Jim McAllister’s left wing corner.

But the striker’s header struck the underside of the crossbar before bouncing down and being adjudged not to have crossed the goal-line by the match officials.

The visitors then wasted a clear cut chance to score just before the break when substitute Kwame Thomas, who had just come on for the injured Little, teed up Mark Cullen but the striker could only slice his shot well wide of the right post.

After the break, Blues midfielder Ryan Leonard saw a long range shot smothered by Blackpool goalkeeper Dean Lyness.

Ben Coker then saw a curling 20 yard free-kick gathered by Lyness in the 56th minute before Leonard fired inches over from a similar distance.

However, Blackpool soon hit back and wasted a good chance to take the lead when Aldred fired straight at Bentley from 12 yards after David Ferguson’s right wing corner had caused problems.

In a bid to become more of an attacking threat, Shrimpers boss Phil Brown made his first change of the game in the 71st minute with Joe Pigott replacing Hurst.

And, just five minutes later, Blues went in front, with Thompson on target.

The centre-back started the move with a marauding run forward before playing the ball out to Worrall on the left flank.

The defender then charged into the box and netted with a firm downward header from 12 yards.

The Shrimpers came close to doubling their lead when Payne saw a low effort tipped to safety by Lyness before the hosts made their second change of the game in the 89th minute with Glen Rea replacing Mooney to ensure all three points for the home-team.