SOUTHEND United surged back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory against Accrington Stanley at Roots Hall.

The clash saw the two teams at the bottom of League One’s form guide going head to head.

But, after a slightly shaky start, it was the Shrimpers who came out on top with Sam Mantom, Simon Cox and Theo Robinson all on target.

Despite the final score-line, Accrington were on top early on with Billy Kee stabbing a close range shot over the crossbar before a swerving effort from Sam Finley flew inches wide of the left post.

Moments later and, with the visitors remaining on top, Offrande Zanzala sent a close range effort inches wide of the right post.

But, after surviving the scares, Southend hit back to break the forward in the 19th minute when Timothee Dieng played in Cox who saw his well-struck shot saved by Stanley goalkeeper Connor Ripley.

However, Shrimpers skipper Mantom reacted quickest to the resulting rebounding and fired home his fourth goal in seven games from a narrow angle.

Blues soon doubled their lead, in the 32rd minute, when a left wing corner was played into the path of Stephen Hendrie.

His well struck shot was saved by Ripley but Taylor Moore’s follow up effort was diverted into the back of the net by Cox for his ninth goal of the season.

Accrington soon replied with Michael Ihiekewe heading over from close range but the Shrimpers came close to making it 3-0 just before the break when Cox raced onto Robinson’s header only to see his effort saved by Ripley.

After the break and, as the wet conditions worsened, Stanley skipper Sean McConville saw a long range effort tipped over by Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

Blues boss Chris Powell responded by making his first change of the game in the 69th minute as Dru Yearwood came on to replace Stephen McLaughlin.

And, just three minutes later, the Shrimpers extended their lead as a fine pass from Cox sent Robinson clean through on goal and the recalled striker netted with a neatly controlled finish.

The effort completed the scoring and sealed a victory which saw Blues move back into the top half of the League One table.