SOUTHEND United withstood a late fightback from Wycombe Wanderers to triumph 3-2 at Adams Park this afternoon.

The Shrimpers seemed to be cruising to victory when goals from Theo Robinson, Tom Hopper and Simon Cox put Chris Powell’s side 3-0 in front.

But two late goals from Wycombe led to a nerve-wracking finale which Blues survived to record back to back wins for the first time this season.

The visitors dominated the start of the game with striker Hopper heading Ben Coker’s left wing cross inches wide of the right post from close range.

And, just seconds later, Robinson wasted an even clearer chance to score as he volleyed over Hopper’s pass from just six yards.

With the Shrimpers remaining on top, Jason Demetriou then sent a deflected 20 yard shot over the crossbar before Robinson saw a left footed shot blocked by the legs of Chairboys goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.

After surviving the scares, Wycombe skipper Matt Bloomfield sent an angled effort inches wide of the left post before Adebayo Akinfenwa headed over from close range.

However, Southend were soon back on top and, in the 26th minute, Robinson wasted another good chance to score, as he sent a right wing cross from Demetriou wide of the left post from 12 yards.

But, with 38 minutes on the clock, Blues finally made the breakthrough with Robinson atoning for his earlier misses.

The striker was picked out by a superb pass across the six yard box by Hopper and bravely slid the ball home at the far post for his third goal of the season.

Wycombe soon replied with Bloomfield having a low shot saved by the returning Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley and, immediately after the interval, the Blues custodian rushed out to block Fred Onyedinma’s effort when the winger was clean through on goal.

Oxley seemed to be struggling with a knee injury after making the save but, with 53 minutes on the clock, the visitors doubled their lead with Hopper netting his fifth goal of the season., The striker was picked out by a low, left wing cross from Coker and netted with a clinical, left footed shot from close range.

And, just four minutes later, things got even better for Blues as Cox made it 3-0 with another fine finish.

The front-runner – who netted the winner against Fleetwood Town last weekend – broke the offside trap down the right hand side and advanced into the penalty area before sending a low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The goal put the Shrimpers into a comfortable position and in the 72nd minute Chris Powell made a double change with Michael Kightly and Stephen McLaughlin both entering the action.

Five minutes later, the fit-again Dru Yearwood came on for his first appearance of the season but Wycombe soon fought their back into the game and, eight minutes from time, substitute Craig Mackail-Smith netting with a screaming 20 yard shot.

Three minutes later, Wycombe grabbed their second of the afternoon as Akinfenwa stabbed the ball home from six yards to set up an nerve-wracking ending.

The Chairboys continued to attack with Akinfenwa having a low volley saved by Oxley and Mackail-Smith volleying over in the dying seconds of the game.