BILEL Mohsni's shock emergence as a striker continued with the Frenchman bagging a brace in Southend United's 4-1 demolition of Macclesfield Town at Roots Hall tonight.

Mohsni had been used as a defender until scoring as a late substitute in Friday night's draw with Bury.

And he was at it again against the Silkmen with two fine finishes.

Ryan Hall and Craig Easton also worked their way on to the score-sheet during a one sided first half as Blues finally secured their first home success since late October.

Paul Sturrock's side started strongly and, with seven minutes on the clock, they almost opened the scoring as an excellent right wing cross from Sean Clohessy was met by Hall but the winger's eight yard volley was tipped to safety by Macclesfield goalkeeper Jose Veiga.

Hall then turned provider as his left wing free-kick was headed over by an off balance Graham Coughlan and, in the 11th minute, another dangerous centre from Hall was stabbed past his own left post by a sliding Nat Brown.

Southend remained on top, with Blair Sturrock just failing to connect with another excellent right wing cross from Clohessy before Mohsni, who started up front in place of Barry Corr, headed off target after being teed up by Hall.

Mohsni's recall was one of two changes made by Blues boss Sturrock as he also selected Rhys in goal in place of the ill Glenn Morris.

And it was Mohsni who made the breakthrough in the 17th minute as he stabbed an excellent, inswinging cross from the right hand side by Hall in to the bottom left hand corner of the net from six yards.

The winger also appeared to be claiming the goal but it was given to Mohsni.

The Silkmen soon hit back and Evans did well to push a well struck 25 yard free-kick from Colin Daniel to safety before Tyrone Barnett fired in to the side netting while under pressure from Coughlan.

Southend survived the scares and doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when a long clearance from Evans was flicked on by Sturrock in to the path of Hall.

He then cut in on to his left foot before unleashing a low shot from 20 yards in to the bottom left hand corner of the North Bank net.

Blues then made it 3-0 in the 39th minute, with Mohsni firing a fine, first time, left footed shot in to the bottom right hand corner of the net from 16 yards after a left wing cross from Hall had been missed by Brown at the heart of the defence.

Things were soon to get even better for Southend as they made it 4-0 just two minutes before the break.

Mohsni was again involved as his deflected left foot shot was blocked just in front of goal – enabling Easton to stab the ball in to the back of the net from close range.

It was the perfect way for the proud Scotsman to celebrate Burns night but there was less excitement for his side in the second half.

Mohnsi made way for Barry Corr on the hour mark and received a standing ovation from the Roots Hall faithful.

Mark Phillips replaced Coughlan at the heart of the back four seven minutes later and, after his introduction, Southend almost made it 5-0 when an outrageous long range effort from Hall – wide out on the left touch line – was tipped over by Veiga.

Macclesfield netted a consolation in the 79th minute when Colin Daniel shot past Evans from 18 yards.

But even that could not ruin a memorable night for Southend United and their new found goalscoring hero!