SOUTHEND United staged a second half fightback to triumph 2-1 at Burton Albion tonight.

The Shrimpers trailed 1-0 after a below par first half showing at the Pirelli Stadium.

But Blues improved considerably after the break and goals from Tom Hopper and Simon Cox saw Chris Powell’s side record a third victory in succession.

Burton began the contest brightly and wasted a good chance to open the scoring in the 10th minute when Jake Hesketh’s right wing corner was headed down by Kyle McFadzean but Liam Boyce could only fire over the crossbar from close range.

Moments later, the Shrimpers came even closer to breaking the deadlock when Jason Demetriou’s right wing cross was headed against the right post by Cox.

Burton were then also denied by the woodwork when David Templeton’s effort was tipped onto the right post by Mark Oxley, who was back as Blues’ captain in the absence of Sam Mantom.

Oxley then also did well to divert a deflected left wing cross from Templeton wide of the target but, with 27 minutes on the clock, the Brewers made the breakthrough with Boyce on target for the seventh time this season.

The in-form striker was picked out by Templeton’s left wing cross and netted with a firm downward header at the near post.

Burton remained on top and came close to extending their lead in the 41st minute when a curling Hesketh shot was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by Oxley.

The Shrimpers shot-stopper then easily gathered a scuffed shot from an unmarked Damien McCrory before the visitors hit back on the stroke of half-time with Dru Yearwood – making his first start of the season – shooting straight at Dimitar Evtimov from 20 yards.

In a bid to improve his team’s performance, Blues boss Powell made a change at the break with Michael Kightly replacing Theo Robinson in a move which saw the visitors change to a 4-4-2 formation.

The alteration put Blues back on the front foot and, in the 61st minute, the visitors drew level with Hopper on target for the sixth time this season.

The move began with Kightly firing a cross-field ball into the path of Demetriou, whose right-wing cross found Hopper who headed home from close range.

Ten minutes later, the Shrimpers made their second change with Michael Klass replacing Yearwood in the centre of the park.

However, Blues remained on top and 12 minutes from time they bagged what proved to be the winning goal as Kightly’s left wing corner was headed down by Michael Turner before Cox blasted home from close range.

The effort - which saw Cox net for the third game in succession - sparked wild celebrations from the travelling fans whose side saw out the closing stages to triumph once again.