SOUTHEND United handed their supporters a belated Christmas present with a 2-0 win against local rivals Colchester United at Roots Hall this afternoon.

First half goals from Simeon Akinola and Timothee Dieng saw the Shrimpers come out on top.

And the victory was enough to also move Blues off the foot of the table.

Southend opened the scoring after just 10 minutes with Akinola bagging his first goal for Blues.

The striker was picked out by a fine left wing free-kick from Sam Hart and made no mistake with a firm downward header from eight yards.

Moments later, the recalled Ashley Nathaniel-George darted in from the right hand side before firing over but the Shrimpers remained on top and doubled their lead in the 22nd minute with Dieng scoring his first goal of the season.

The goal superbly made by Kyle Taylor who powered forward before rolling a fine pass into the path of Dieng who sent a first time finish into the left hand side of the net.

Colchester soon hit back with Jevani Brown firing wide of the right post from close range before Blues replied with Akinola having another effort deflected wide of the right post.

The resulting corner was well worked and resulted in Shaun Hobson heading Jason Demetriou’s right wing cross wide of the left post before a dangerous cross shot from Nathaniel-George was parried away by Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken.

But, after surviving the scares, the visitors almost netted on the stroke of half-time with Kwame Poku cutting in from the right hand side and curling a fine effort against the left post.

After the break, Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley got down well to keep out a low 20 yard effort from Michael Folivi but, after that, goalscoring opportunities were in short supply.

The Shrimpers made their first change of the afternoon in the 73rd minute with Emile Acquah replacing Akinola in attack.

But it was still the visitors who threatened next with Folivi having a looping header tipped over the crossbar by Oxley before the Shrimpers made their change in the 79th minute with Greg Halford taking the place of Taylor.

Moments later, the U’s Brown saw an effort parried away by Oxley before Blues made a third change in the 89th minute with Rob Howard coming on for Nathaniel-George.

And the youngster helped the Shrimpers see out the closing stages as the hosts made it nine Boxing Day games without defeat.