SOUTHEND United handed Bury a pre-Christmas stuffing at Roots Hall tonight, securing a 4-1 win against Shakers.

The fit-again Noel Hunt bagged a first half brace while David Mooney and Jack Payne were also on target during a dominant display, which saw the Shrimpers score four times in a home league game since brushing aside Cheltenham Town in 2012. 

Blues attacked right from the off and, with five minutes on the clock, Mooney volleyed over a left wing cross from David Worrall before Worrall continued his lively start to the game by also shooting over after cutting in from the right hand side.

Moments later, Hunt headed over a left wing cross from Payne before Worrall fired wide of the right post from long range after a long throw from Ryan Leonard had only been partially cleared.

But, with 22 minutes on the clock, Blues made the breakthrough, with Hunt on target for the third time this season.

The Irishman reacted sharply inside the six yard box to fire home after the ball had crashed back off the underside of the crossbar amid a goalmouth scramble.

With the Shrimpers looking to double their lead, Mooney soon fired over 12 yards.

But Phil Brown’s side were not to be denied a second goal for long as they made it 2-0 in the 31st minute, with Hunt again on target.

The experienced striker was picked out by Adam Thompson after Bury goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann had completely missed a left wing cross from Worrall and sent a low shot into a gaping goal.

However, the Shakers hit back just before the break when former Southend loanee Leon Clarke latched onto a long ball forward before sending a low, left footed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

After the break, Clarke saw another effort well saved by Bentley low down to his left hand side before Blues boss Brown made his first change of the night in the 66th minute as Kevan Hurst replaced a tiring Hunt.

And, eight minutes the alteration, the Shrimpers made it 3-1 with Mooney firing home a penalty.

The spot-kick was awarded by referee James Linington after Payne’s superb run was upended by Nathan Cameron in the box and Mooney rolled his effort into the right hand side of the net with Bachmann diving in the opposite direction.

Immediately after the spot-kick, Glen Rea was brought on to replace Worrall but Blues remained on top and extended their lead even further in the 78th minute, thanks to a stunning strike from Payne.

The attacking midfielder latched onto a quickly taken free-kick and, after cutting in from the right hand side of the penalty area, he sent a superb curling shot high into the top left hand corner of the net.

Following Blues’ fourth goal, Joe Pigott was brought on to replace Mooney as the Shrimpers comfortably saw out the closing stages to secure a thumping win.