Shrimpers edge out Us

01 February 2011 23:30
Southend overturned a one-goal deficit to beat 10-man Oxford 2-1 and leapfrog their visitors in the League Two table. Both sides had shots off target before Oxford took the lead on 14 minutes through top-scorer James Constable, who, following a well-worked Jake Wright free-kick, beat Rhys Evans with a low 12-yard finish. Southend equalised in the 43rd minute when Anthony Tonkin messed up a Blair Sturrock cross, allowing Ryan Hall to control and shoot a half-volley into the bottom right corner. And deep into first-half stoppage time Peter Gilbert headed a Hall corner against the bar and it fell for Bilel Mohsni to net his fourth goal in four games to put Blues ahead. Oxford boss Chis Wilder made a trio of early substitutions in a bid to shake things up but saw his side reduced to 10 men after 66 minutes when Damien Batt was given a straight red card for a hefty challenge on Anthony Grant. Grant's angled effort on target was saved by Clarke as Southend moved up to ninth and Oxford dropped to 10th.

Source: PA