SOUTHEND United secured back to back wins for the first time since October 2018 after seeing off Grimsby Town 3-1 at Roots Hall tonight.

The bottom of the table Blues, who also beat Scunthorpe United on Saturday, saw the visitors’ Ira Jackson Jr cancel out Kyle Taylor’s early opener.

But the Shrimpers responded strongly in the second half and bagged another crucial victory with Tom Clifford and debutant Greg Halford both on target.

Blues raced out of the blocks and broke the deadlock inside the opening 30 seconds with Taylor scoring the first goal of his career.

The on loan Bournemouth midfielder collected a half cleared right wing cross from Elvis Bwomono before impressively teeing himself up and firing a low 25 yard volley into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The goal was a rare first half effort for the Shrimpers who had failed to score in the opening 45 minutes in their previous 13 outings.

But the Mariners soon came close to levelling when Jackson Jr sent a low effort against the inside of the right post from 12 yards.

Grimsby were again denied by the woodwork in the 34th minute when Owen Windsor headed Filipe Morais free-kick against the crossbar before the Shrimpers replied with James Olayinka having a left footed shot gathered by Grimsby goalkeeper Sam Russell at the second attempt.

However, the Mariners were soon back on top and deservedly drew back level on the stroke of half-time when Jackson Jr fired home from close range after Blues shot-stopper Mark Oxley had initially done well to deny Harry Clifton from close range.

In a bid to alter the balance of play, Shrimpers boss Mark Molesley made two changes at the break with Terrell Egbri replacing Kazaiah Strerling and Simeon Akinola coming in for Emile Acquah in attack.

And in the 57th minute Blues regained the lead courtesy of a well worked corner which saw Jason Demetriou roll a left wing corner into the path of Clifford who fired a low, left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 18 yards.

After going back in front, the Shrimpers made another double change in the 64th minute with Alan McCormack replacing Taylor and new boy Halford coming on for Sam Hart.

The switch saw Akinola move onto the left flank with Halford going up front and it was the experienced debutant who extended Southend’s lead in the 75th minute.

A high ball into the box from Clifford was won in the air by Halford whose header kept low and somehow squirmed past embarrassed Grimsby goalkeeper Russell.

The effort sealed a vital victory for the Shrimpers and Halford was involved again right at the death after Luke Waterfall’s late aerial challenge saw him shown a second yellow card.