TYRONE Barnett made up for missing out on Manchester United by bagging a crucial goal in Southend United’s 3-1 triumph against table-topping Burton Albion at Roots Hall tonight.
Barnett, who is on loan with Blues, could have been lining up against the Red Devils in an FA Cup clash had he opted to stay with his parent club Shrewsbury Town.
But the striker instead shone for the Shrimpers against the Brewers and bagged a brilliant effort either side of goals from Anthony Wordsworth and David Mooney to secure a vital victory for Phil Brown’s side.
Goal - Anthony Wordsworth fires Southend in front
The three points moved Blues back up to seventh in the League One standings.
And it was an impressive seventh minute strike from Wordsworth which set Southend on their way.
The midfielder reacted sharply after Jack Payne’s shot – which followed Barnett’s run forward – was deflected into his path and the former Ipswich Town man drilled a low, 18 yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net with his left foot.
Burton soon attempted to hit back with Phil Edwards heading over a right wing cross from Tom Naylor before play switched back to the other end of the field with Barnett slicing an effort wide of the left post from the edge of the penalty area.
However, the Brewers were soon back pushing for an equaliser with Adam Barrett doing well to deflect Naylor’s 20 yard shot wide of the target.
Moments later, Edwards headed Mason Bennett’s left-wing corner over the crossbar from eight yards and, with 37 minutes on the clock, Robbie Weir saw a powerful low shot smothered by Southend goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.
On the ball - Blues full-back Ben Coker
The Shrimpers shot-stopper then also gathered a 25 yard shot from Robbie Weir but the visitors were not to be denied and drew back level on the stroke of half-time, with Beavon on target for the 50th time in the Football League.
The striker latched onto a pass from former Belfairs High School pupil Calum Butcher before sending a deflected low shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
However, the equalising effort was shrouded in controversy as the ball appeared to have gone out of play on the left flank before being collected by Butcher.
That did not concern Burton though and they came close to going in front at the start of the second half when Butcher fired a 20 yard shot inches wide of the left post.
But, after surviving the scare, Southend responded well and regained the lead in the 63rd minute with Barnett on target for the fourth time in sixth games.
The on loan Shrewsbury Town striker collected a pass from Payne and curled a brilliant 25 yard shot in to the top right hand corner of the net.
On target - Tyrone Barnett fires home from long range
Five minutes after the strike, Blues made their first change of the night with Sam McQueen coming on to replace Payne before Mooney also replaced Hunt in attack.
A minute from time, David Worrall took the place of Barnett before the Shrimpers sealed all three points in stoppage time as McQueen played in Mooney who kept his cool to fire past the advancing Jon McLaughlin to make sure an important victory for the home-side.
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