A BRACE from right-back Jason Demetriou saw Southend United secure a fourth win in five games with a 3-1 victory against Portsmouth at Roots Hall.

Demetriou scored twice after an own goal from Matt Clarke had given Blues the lead.

And the defender’s brace also saw him move to the top of the scoring charts with eight goals for the season.

Portsmouth wasted an excellent early chance to take the lead when Conor Chaplin charged down an attempted clearance from Ben Coker and got in ahead of Anton Ferdinand only to send his effort wide of the right post.

But, after surviving the early scare, the Shrimpers hit back to take the lead in just the fifth minute when Shayon Harrison showed neat feet inside the penalty area which led to Portsmouth defender Matt Clarke firing the ball into his own net from 12 yards out as he attempted to make a challenge.

The Shrimpers remained on top and doubled their lead in the 12th minute when Simon Cox’s left wing cross fell to Stephen McLaughlin at the far post.

The Irishman then rolled an invited pass back into the path of Demetriou who fired a fine 20 yard shot into the left hand side of the North Bank net.

Moments later, Dru Yearwood – who was lining up on his 18th birthday – fired inches wide of the left post from the edge of the penalty area before a long range effort from Cox was gathered by Portsmouth goalkeeper Luke McGee at the second attempt.

However, with 36 minutes on the clock, Portsmouth got back into the game when Jamal Lowe's right wing cross found Brett Pitman at the far post who played it back across for Gareth Evans to tap home from inside the six yard box.

Evans picked up an injury while scoring and was immediately replaced by Connor Ronan before Blues hit back with Freddie Ladapo heading McLaughlin’s right wing cross straight on McGee on the stroke of half-time.

But, with 63 minutes on the clock, Portsmouth were reduced to 10 men when Nathan Thompson was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Probert for a late and high challenge on Ben Coker.

Shortly after the midfielder’s dismissal, Harrison wasted a great chance to put Blues 3-1 in front as he headed Michael Timlin’s left wing cross wide of the right post from 12 yards.

Moments later and, with 74 minutes on the clock, Blues boss Chris Powell made his first change of the afternoon as Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced Ladapo in attack.

The new look Shrimpers soon came close to extending their lead when a low effort from Cox was blocked by the legs of McGee before the visitors replied with Lowe flashing a powerful shot across the face of goal.

But the hosts stayed solid and made sure of their win when Yearwood charged forward and teed up Demetriou who netted with a neatly controlled finish from 10 yards