DOUGIE Freedman emerged as an unlikely hero to end Southend United’s run of wretched results at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Scottish striker was expected to again be on the sidelines with a thigh strain against Bristol Rovers.

But, on the eve of the match, Freedman answered a plea to play from manager Steve Tilson and gleefully grabbed the only goal of the game.

The 34-year-old headed home from close range midway through the second half to secure the Shrimpers just their first league win since Boxing Day and only their second since the end of October to move up to 13th in the League One table.

It was a well deserved victory too as Blues edged the majority of a closely fought encounter and created their first chance after 12 minutes when Theo Robinson’s effort from an Adam Barrett cross was blocked by the legs of the advancing Rovers keeper Steve Phillips.

The on loan Watford striker was then denied by a superb last ditch tackle from Craig Hinton when he seemed set to race clean through on goal and, moments later, Robinson fired over after latching onto a fine through ball from Dougie Freedman.

Rovers hit back with Jeff Hughes firing wide of the left post from 20 yards before Stuart Campbell sent an effort over the crossbar from a similar distance.

Southend survived those scares and just before the break they almost opened the scoring when Jean-Francois Christophe teed up Robinson and the lively striker sent a snap shot inches wide of the left post from 14 yards.

After the break, Phillips fumbled a long range shot from Christophe wide of the left post but the keeper then easily gathered a close range header from Robinson.

At the other end of the field, Shrimpers shot-stopper Steve Mildenhall smothered a low drive from Rickie Lambert but in the 57th minute Blues made the vital breakthrough, with Freedman bagging his fifth goal of the season.

The striker latched onto debutant Dorian Dervite's pass into the box and intelligently looped the ball over the advancing Phillips before sending a diving header into the back of the net.

The goal was greeted with wild celebrations by both the Shrimpers supporters and players but Rovers had a chance to draw back level shortly after when Jo Kuffour burst into the right hand side of the penalty area before sending his shot embarrassingly wide of the target.

After the poor strike, there followed a farcical few minutes as Rovers keeper Phillips had a lucky let off in the 71st minute.

The keeper rushed out of his goal but could only clear poorly into the path of Freedman who unleashed a left foot shot which Phillips saved with his hands outside of the penalty area.

The Roots Hall crowd screamed for the hapless shot-stopper to be dismissed but he was surprisingly only shown a yellow card by referee Gavin Ward.

Those fans were then again shouting at the officials seconds later when Peter Clarke converted the resulting free-kick from Simon Francis – only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul.

Blues boss Steve Tilson soon replaced the tiring Freedman with Lee Barnard and, moments after the change, Francis dragged a low 25 yard drive wide of the left post.

Robinson then fired straight at Phillips from long range but five minutes from time Rovers wasted a glorious chance to draw back.

Darryl Duffy collected a pass from Stuart Campbell but his effort was well blocked by the legs of Mildenhall when an equaliser seemed certain.

Blues broke away shortly after with Barnard firing just over from 20 yards and, in the last minute of normal time, Franck Moussa had a similar effort tipped over the crossbar by Phillips.

But a second goal was not needed as the Shrimpers finally recorded their first victory of 2009.