SOUTHEND United kickstarted their Christmas celebrations with a much-needed 3-0 win against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

The Shrimpers headed off to Dublin after the final whistle for their own festive party.

And, early on at Roots Hall, Blues certainly enjoyed the luck of the Irish.

Stanley were far quicker out of the blocks and both Billy Kee and Offrande Zanzala should have done better with early opportunities while Sam Finley also shot wide after a neat piece of play.

But, slowly and surely, Southend began to get into the game and ultimately came out on top in the clash between League One’s two most out of form teams.

Accrington – who have now not won for seven League games – have picked up the fewest number of points from their last six outings.

And, in the build up to Saturday, it was the Shrimpers sitting directly above them having suffered five defeats in their last six League games.

That, more than anything else, made victory and stopping the rot crucial for Southend and the hosts seemed far more settled after skipper Sam Mantom had fired them in front.

The midfielder reacted sharply after seeing Simon Cox’s effort parried out by Accrington goalkeeper Connor Ripley and neatly netted his fourth goal in his last seven games.

Mantom featured in an unfamiliar position at the weekend as he lined up in a narrow right midfield role – similar to the one played by both Carl Pettefer and Will Atkinson in the Shrimpers’ recent past.

Mantom’s intelligence helped see him through the game and there was certainly better balance in the starting line-up.

But the most noticeable change came in attack, where Cox was joined by Theo Robinson in a two-man strike partnership.

Cox had been playing as a solitary striker in his last four outings and had been severely lacking in support and service.

As such, the striker had hardly had a chance created for him and, as Blues’ main attacking threat, it was clearly not the best way to utilise his talents.

But, on Saturday, Cox benefitted from Robinson’s inclusion as both strikers worked their way onto the scoresheet.

Robinson can often divide opinion among supporters and, in truth, he can regularly be wasteful in promising positions.

However, his pace stretches play and causes opponents problems while the addition of a second striker also made it far more likely the ball would stay in the final third when Blues broke forward, enabling them to bring others into play.

Robinson was also clinical when his only real chance came around and he played a pivotal part in the success.

But Cox was equally as influential as he scored one and helped to create the other two in a game which was played in truly awful wet, windy and freezing cold conditions.

However, the victory would have at least warmed the hearts of Blues’ fans, who also saw other members of the team step forward.

Elvis Bwomono and Stephen Hendrie may not have been in the team had Jason Demetriou and Ben Coker both been available.

But both full-backs played their part in a second successive home clean sheet for the Shrimpers.

Hendrie made a fantastic defensive clearance in the first half, while Bwomono continued his fine run of form which could end up giving Blues boss Chris Powell a real selection headache when Demetriou does regain full fitness.

But, ultimately, Saturday’s game boiled down to Blues being more clinical in front of goal than their opposition – something which has not often been the case this season.

Accrington boss John Coleman was probably right in saying the scoreline slightly flattered Blues.

And Coleman deserves great praise for a rare piece of sportsmanship in the modern game when he ordered his team to immediately kick the ball out of play after the visitors had incorrectly been awarded a throw in.

That, along with the result, will be what is mainly remembered from Saturday’s game which saw the Shrimpers work their way up to 12th in the League One standings.

Considering the lengthy list of injuries, a top half position is commendable for Blues at this stage.

But the challenge now facing Southend is to build on Saturday’s success and ensure the clinical edge and composure can be combined with much-needed continuity to ensure the celebrations can last beyond just Christmas.