A STUNNING Simon Cox hat-trick saw Southend United fight back from 3-0 down to secure a 3-3 draw against Portsmouth at Roots Hall.

The Shrimpers seemed to be heading for another home defeat when Portsmouth raced into a 3-0 lead inside 31 minutes.

But Cox netted a trio of his own to rescue an unexpected share of the spoils for Chris Powell’s side.

Portsmouth took just eight minutes to open the scoring as Jamal Lowe’s right wing cross was parried out by Blues goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, enabling Bryn Morris to slam the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards.

Moments later, Bishop diverted Christian Burgess’ close range effort wide of the left post before Blues hit back with skipper Sam Mantom having a long range effort parried out by visiting goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray who reacted sharply to stop Michael Kightly reaching the rebound.

However, Portsmouth were soon back on top and doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Ben Close sent a low 20 yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net after Mantom had failed to make contact with an attempted headed clearance.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure with Omar Bogle having a close range effort ruled out for offside before Blues suffered a further blow in the 25th minute with Stephen Humphrys limping off injured.

Humphrys was replaced by Michael Klass before the visitors extended their lead in the 31st minute, with Oli Hawkins on target.

The Shrimpers defence failed to clear the ball after Morris’ effort had bounced back off the left post, enabling Hawkins to poke the ball home from close range.

Blues hit back five minutes later, with Simon Cox heading home Sam Hart’s left wing cross for his 13th goal of the season.

Moments later, Michael Turner curled a left footed shot inches wide of the left post following a half-cleared Michael Kightly corner.

After surviving the scare, Portsmouth started the second half brightly with Bogle having a low shot saved by Bishop before the Shrimpers replied with McLaughlin having a long range effort smothered by MacGillivray.

In a bid to become more of a threat Blues boss Chris Powell made a second change in the 73rd minute with Isaac Hutchinson replacing Sam Mantom.

And, just five minutes later, the Shrimpers got right back into the game, with Cox on target from the penalty spot.

Referee Dean Whitestone awarded the spot-kick after Michael Kightly had been brought down by Morris and Cox gleefully accepted the opportunity, sending his shot slightly to the right hand side of the goal.

Blues made a third change with Norman Wabo replacing Kightly and, three minutes from time, the hosts drew back level with Cox completing his hat-trick.

The striker raced onto a fine pass from Timothee Dieng and curled an impressive effort into the top right hand corner to ensure a valuable point for the Shrimpers.