ANTHONY Wordsworth’s second half spot-kick continued Southend United’s fine recent record against Oxford United at Roots Hall tonight.

Wordsworth’s 74th minute penalty secured the Shrimpers a welcome 2-1 victory against the O’s.

And the midfielder’s effort meant Blues have now triumphed in six of their last seven games against Oxford, losing just one of the last 15 meetings between the two clubs.

The Shrimpers opened the scoring in stunning fashion in the 13th minute when Ryan Leonard – who was making his 200th appearance for the club - latched onto Cheyenne Dunkley’s headed clearance and slammed a fantastic long range volley high into the right hand side of the net.

Moments later, Wordsworth’s low volley from the edge of the penalty area was smothered by Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood.

In reply, Oxford striker Chris Maguire then fired just wide of the left post from 25 yards but Blues soon got back on top with Jermaine McGlashan having a 20 yard shot parried away by Eastwood before the visiting goalkeeper also collected Ryan Inniss’ header from Wordsworth’s left wing cross.

But, after surviving the scares, Oxford should have equalised in the 33rd minute when Liam Sercombe’s right wing cross teed up Kane Hemmings but the unmarked striker, who was once on trial with the Shrimpers, could only head over the crossbar from close range.

With play soon switching back to the other end of the field, Jason Demetriou soon saw a curling effort blocked in front of goal by Phil Edwards before Oxford replied with Marvin Johnson having a low shot gathered by Mark Oxley at the second attempt.

However, the visitors were not to be denied for long and drew back level just before the break with Hemmings heading home a well worked right wing corner.

Blues were incensed when an apparent push by Johnson on Coker went unpunished before his header was diverted over the crossbar by Anton Ferdinand.

But Blues’ resulting protests seemed to distract them from the corner which led to Johnson delivering a right wing cross which Hemmings headed into the roof of the net from eight yards.

After the break, Oxford threatened first with Maguire having an attempted chip blocked by Oxley before Hemmings fired over the resulting rebound.

However, the visitors continued to push forward with Maguire having a close range header impressively tipped over by Oxley before Johnson curled an effort just wide of the left post following a poor header from Anton Ferdinand.

Blues responded by bringing Luke O’Neill on in place of McGlashan in the 70th minute and, four minutes later, the home-side were back in front with Wordsworth scoring from the penalty spot.

The spot-kick was given after referee Graham Horwood adjudged Edwards to have handled Ben Coker’s left wing cross.

And Wordsworth – who was making his first start of the season – made the most of the opportunity by cooly slotting the penalty into the bottom left hand corner of the net with Eastwood diving in the opposite direction.

Barrett came close to extending Southend’s lead when his close range effort was diverted wide of the right post by Eastwood but his opposite number – Oxley – then pulled off a stunning save to somehow stop Wes Thomas netting a last gasp equaliser.

Deep into the six minutes of added on time, Demetriou had a long range effort tipped over by Eastwood but Blues clung on to secure a third home win in a row.