Southend United 3 Tranmere Rovers 1

Last updated : 17 September 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Southend made it four wins on the trot thanks to a brace from five-goal top scorer Shaun Goater and teenage striker James Lawson.

The forwards put Southend 2-0 up before the break before Tranmere's second-half dominance was rewarded with a goal from Delroy Facey.

Lewis Hunt had a rare attempt on goal after 11 minutes but shot wide of John Achterberg's right post after being put through by a Goater header.

But Southend took the lead four minutes later when Mark Gower's cross from the right was headed back across the face of goal by Mitchell Cole for 18-year-old Lawson to half-volley his second goal of the season.

Facey's flick on gave five-goal top scorer Chris Greenacre a chance to equalise after 24 minutes but his 25-yard shot was easily held by goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan.

The visitors were made to pay for that wasted chance on 33 minutes when Gower's charge into the box was terminated by Michael Jackson. Referee Ray Olivier pointed straight to the spot and the ball was tucked away to Achterberg's right by Goater for his fourth of the season.

Lawson and Goater saw chances go wide before Tranmere closed the half on top.

Facey's snap-shot from the right was saved by Flahavan, who then held a tame shot from skipper Jason McAteer in stoppage time.

Tranmere boss Brian Little brought on Mark Rankine and Steve Jennings at half time to maintain the pressure and it paid immediate dividends.

Straight from the kick-off Jennings' through ball released Facey and he slotted past Flahavan for his second goal of the campaign.

And it was the visitors who looked the better side as only a double block from centre-back Adam Barrett denied Sam Aiston and Danny Harrison shots on goal.

Injuries to Gower and Cole meant the home side lost both their wingers and had all four strikers on the pitch but the forced changes upset their shape and for long periods they pegged back.

An equaliser looked increasingly likely and it almost came on 76 minutes. Aiston's cross was mis-hit by Greenacre and the ball fell to Rankine but he somehow scooped the ball over the bar from four yards.

But against the run of play it was Southend who got a goal thanks to Freddy Eastwood. Last season's top scorer turned Jennings and Ian Goodison before laying the ball off to veteran striker Goater who stroked it home on 82 minutes.