MICHAEL Kightly landed the knockout blow as Southend United bagged a Boxing Day win at Oxford United.

The recalled winger bagged the only goal of the game in the 79th minute.

And the triumph means the Shrimpers have still not lost on Boxing Day since 2009.

Their latest success came via a hardworking performance in a game which was short of goalscoring chances until Kightly popped up to score.

The game was slow to get going but Oxford thought they had taken the lead in the 24th minute when Gavin Whyte’s driven right wing cross was fired home by Jamie Mackie at the far post but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Ten minutes later, Blues also came close to taking the lead when Simon Cox’s intelligent cross from the left hand side was just out of the reach of his strike-partner Theo Robinson at the far post.

But, after surviving the scare, Oxford soon wasted a golden chance to take the lead when Cameron Brannagan’s left wing cross found Curtis Nelson completely unmarked but the defender could only volley wide of the left post when he should have done far better.

Oxford threatened again just before the break with Marcus Browne having a low, 20 yard shot smothered by Blues goalkeeper Nathan Bishop at the second attempt.

Bishop was again lining up between the sticks as first choice shot-stopper after Mark Oxley failed to recover from a back problem in time to feature.

Shrimpers boss Chris Powell also opted to recall Michael Turner, Michael Kightly and Dru Yearwood but the visitors struggled to carve out goalscoring opportunities.

But, with 66 minutes on the clock, Blues registered their first shot on target as an inswinging free-kick from skipper Sam Mantom was held by Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood.

Moments later, Mantom sent a long range effort wide of the right post before the hosts hit back with James Henry sending a half volley inches wide of the left post from 20 yards.

But, with 78 minutes on the clock, Blues were forced into making their first change of the afternoon as Yearwood limped off with cramp and was replaced by Luke Hyam in the centre of the park.

And, just seconds after the change, the Shrimpers bagged what proved to be the only goal of the game, with Kightly starting and finishing a fine move.

The winger picked up the ball in the centre of the park before rolling a pass into Robinson in the right hand side of the penalty area.

Robinson then delivered a pin-point cross which perfectly picked out Kightly, who neatly nodded home his second goal of the season from close range.

After Kightly’s goal, Blues brought on both John White and then youngster Tom Clifford for his first team debut to see out the closing stages.