CHRIS Powell became the first ever permanent Southend United manager to start his reign with three successive wins after guiding the Shrimpers to a shock 3-1 victory against table-topping Wigan Athletic this afternoon.

The Latics arrived at Roots Hall having not been beaten in their last 16 matches.

But goals from Michael Turner, Marc-Antoine Fortune and Michael Kightly secure a spirited Blues side continue their recent resurgence.

Blues took just three minutes to open the scoring when a right-wing free-kick from Stephen McLaughlin found its way to Michael Turner who headed home from close range at the far post.

The aerial effort was Turner’s third goal in seven games but the hell shocked table-toppers soon replied with Nick Powell lashing a 12 yard shot wide of the left post after Michael Jacobs’ left wing cross had been partially cleared by the recalled Anton Ferdinand.

Moments later, Max Power had a free-kick punched clear by Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley but the hosts soon hit back to double their lead, with Fortune on target against his former side.

The experienced Frenchman raced onto a fine, defence splitting pass from Simon Cox and netted with a low, left footed shot against his former side.

The goal was Fortune’s second of the season and his first since scoring against Peterborough United in October.

With the Shrimpers continuing to attack Cox then fired over a left wing cross from Ben Coker before Ferdinand’s goalbound effort was blocked by Wigan defender Dan Burn at the start of the second half.

In a bid to get back into the game, the Latics made a double change in the 61st minute with James Vaughan and Gary Roberts entering the action.

And, just minutes after his introduction, Vaughan wasted a golden chance to score as he headed Powell’s left wing corner over the crossbar from close range.

However, Vaughan was not to be denied for long as he got the Latics back in the game in the 67th minute as he volleyed Nathan Byrne’s right wing cross into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Blues boss Powell responded by making his first change of the afternoon just three minutes later as Freddie Ladapo replaced Fortune in attack.

After the substitution, the Shrimpers dug deep and soon began to pose more of a threat going forward which resulted in Kightly putting the host 3-1 in front as he netted for the third home game in succession.

The in-form winger reacted sharply after Christian Walton had parried out a well-struck shot from Cox and neatly netted with a controlled left foot shot from close range.

After Kightly’s latest effort, Shayon Harrison was brought on for his Blues debut in place of Cox in attack.

And the on loan Tottenham Hotspur came close to extending the Shrimpers’ lead late on when he fired inches wide of the right post from 20 yards.