Match Report

Belgian midfielder Franck Moussa celebrated his first goal in English football to give the local bragging rights to Southend at Essex rivals Colchester.

Moussa struck with the only goal of the game in the 14th minute as Southend cemented their position in mid-table.

It was a real breakaway goal, with Watford loanee Theo Robinson charging down the right wing and whipping over a low cross for the on-rushing Moussa to steer the ball beyond the reach of keeper Jimmy Walker.

The U's dominated after this but they squandered several good chances as the first half wore on.

The most glaring of these fell to defender Pat Baldwin, who somehow missed the target from just a couple of feet out.

Dean Hammond had flicked on a corner from Mark Yeates and the ball dropped to Baldwin at the far post, only for the ex-Chelsea trainee to scoop the ball over the top from very close in.

Southend were also indebted to one terrific save from their keeper Steve Mildenhall just before the break. He threw himself to his left to claw away a goalbound drive from Yeates.

Backed by a record crowd at their new ground, Colchester also threatened an equaliser within 25 seconds of the restart. Clive Platt nodded down into the path of Kemal Izzet, who fired his shot over the bar.

Southend then shut up shop and defended very effectively during the second half. In fact, their keeper Mildenhall did not have another serious save to make as the U's rather lost their way.

This was Colchester's third defeat on the bounce and it has all but ended their hopes of making the play-offs, although their manager Paul Lambert has not yet given up hope.

Southend are now just two points behind their Essex rivals, although by contrast their boss Steve Tilson is still concerned with keeping his side well clear of the relegation zone.

The Blues were backed by a big away following, who all went away happy. It was the perfect way to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat at the hands of lowly Crewe in midweek.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides