SOUTHEND United put aside their off-field issues to beat Yeovil Town 1-0 at Roots Hall this afternoon.
A first half header from Jake Hyde secured the Shrimpers back to back victories for the first time this season as they saw off a Glovers side who had Gime Toure sent off after just 17 minutes.
Yeovil initially threatened first with Charlie Wakefield flashing a shot wide of the right post from 20 yards before Blues hit back with Cav Miley seeing a well-struck shot parried to safety by Yeovil goalkeeper Grant Smith.
But moments later came a key moment as the visitors were reduced to 10 men with Toure being shown a straight red card after kicking out at Kacper Lopata.
Blues looked to make the most of their extra man with Marcus Dackers curling a 20 yard shot straight at Smith.
But Yeovil soon threatened with Collin Andeng Ndi doing to well to push the ball wide of the right post after a sliding Lopata had deflected Sam Pearson’s right wing cross goalbound.
The resulting corner led to Josh Staunton having a close range header ruled out for a foul on Andeng Ndi.
But, after surviving the scare, Blues broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, with Hyde on target.
The on loan Wrexham striker was picked out by an accurate left-wing cross from Jack Bridge and netted with a well-placed close range header.
Moments later, Dackers headed wide of the opposite upright before Husin shot wide of the right post from long range in the opening action of the second half.
Hyde then saw a volley smothered by Smith before Bridge curled an effort over the crossbar from just outside the penalty area.
Blues boss Kevin Maher opted to make his first change of the game in the 65th minute with Callum Powell replacing Hyde in attack.
And the substitute’s first involvement saw him shown a yellow card after going to ground in the penalty area.
An enforced alteration soon followed with Tom Clifford taking the place of Bridge before Wes Fonguck also replaced Mooney in midfield.
The visitors who threatened next with Fin Craske curling over from 20 yards but the Shrimpers stood firm to secure a third successive clean sheet and all three points.
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