TEN-MAN Southend United dug deep to secure a dramatic 3-0 win against Oldham Athletic at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Shrimpers had influential midfielder Ryan Leonard sent off 20 minutes from time when the game was still goalless.

But strikes from Nile Ranger and Theo Robinson and a stoppage time penalty from Anthony Wordsworth saw Blues secure a fourth successive victory to remain sixth in the League One standings.

Prior to the late drama, Southend had come close to opening the scoring in just the ninth minute when Ranger’s header from Wordsworth’s left wing corner was well saved by visiting goalkeeper Connor Ripley.

Moments later, Tope Obadeyi sent a long range shot straight at new Blues goalkeeper Christian Walton before the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee easily smothered a 20 yard volley from Anthony Gerrard.

With Oldham continuing to attack, Chris Taylor then fired wide of the right post from the edge of the penalty area before Paul Green’s deflected long range shot was well held by Walton.

In reply, Blues winger Stephen McLaughlin sent a 25 yard shot flashing wide of the right post before Oldham hit back with Josh Law sending a long range effort wide of the right post in the 35th minute.

After the break, the Shrimpers came close to scoring when Ben Coker swapped passes with Simon Cox before sending an effort across the face of goal.

In a bid to create more chances, Blues boss Phil Brown then made his first change of the game in the 54th minute as Jermaine McGlashan came on to replace McLaughlin.

And, nine minutes after the substitution, came a huge moment of controversy as Cox was brought down by Ollie Banks when clean through on goal, yet referee Kevin Johnson opted to show the Latics midfielder just a yellow card.

Shortly after the furore died down, the Shrimpers made a second change with Theo Robinson replacing Will Atkinson and, immediately after the striker’s arrival, Anthony Wordsworth curled a long range free-kick straight at Ripley.

But, with 70 minutes on the clock, Blues were again left pointing the finger at referee Kevin Johnson after Leonard was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Ousmane Fane.

However, the dismissal seemed to fire up the Shrimpers and, five minutes later, the home-side broke the deadlock, with the in-form Ranger again on target.

The striker was picked out by a fine cross from Robinson and, ignoring suspicions of offside, he netted with a clinical finish from close range.

And, just three minutes later, things got even better for the jubilant Shrimpers as Robinson headed home a right wing free-kick from Wordsworth with an accurate effort from eight yards.

But Blues were not finished yet and, deep into stoppage time, Wordsworth added a third from the penalty spot after McGlashan had been brought down by former Southend centre-back Peter Clarke.