SOUTHEND United’s returning supporters roared their side on to a 1-0 win against Scunthorpe United this afternoon.

On loan Arsenal midfielder James Olayinka bagged the only goal of the game 10 minutes from time.

And the effort delighted the Roots Hall faithful who were back inside the ground for the first time since March.

After a quiet start to the game, Alan McCormack sent a long range effort over the crossbar in the 38th minute of the match.

But, just seconds later, the visitors came even closer to breaking the deadlock when a 25 yard shot from John McAtee hit the inside of the right post.

Chances stayed few and far between after the break before Blues made their first change of the afternoon in the 62nd minute with the fit-again Kyle Taylor replacing Simeon Akinola.

After the alteration, a deflected long-range free-kick from Tom Clifford was easily held by Scunthorpe goalkeeper Mark Howard before Blues made their second change in the 78th minute with Terrell Egbri taking the place of Sam Hart.

And, just two minutes later, the Shrimpers made the breakthrough as a low right wing cross from Jason Demetriou rolled into the path of the on-rushing Olayinka who fired a low 20 yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

The shell-shocked visitors soon came close to equalising when Aaron Jarvis headed Jai Rowe’s right wing cross over the crossbar from close range.

Moments later, Jordan Hallam sent a deflected effort wide of the left post before Jacob Bedeau heading over after beating Mark Oxley to a left wing cross.

But the Shrimpers held on to secure their second successive clean sheet and a vital victory in their bid to beat the drop.