Southend did their League Two play-off hopes the power of good with victory over AFC Wimbledon.

Luke Prosser nodded Ryan Hall's short corner back across goal where Freddy Eastwood was on hand to head home the second goal of his loan spell.

Eastwood then turned provider in the final minute with a pinpoint cross from the left which Anthony Grant met with a stunning long-range volley.

With three games to play, the Shrimpers are seven points clear of eighth place.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Southend United manager Paul Sturrock told BBC Essex:

"I think the first half was a bit of a downer, the last week had taken a lot out of the players confidence wise.

"Getting the goal, you saw the change in confidence, the players all of a sudden were up two or three gears and I thought it was a quite comfortable win in the end.

"As the game unfolded and we changed a couple of positional things, and a substitution or two, it definitely worked for us.

"The players need to be appreciative that when we play at a high-tempo, most of the time we win our games here."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)

Southend United

  • 35 Belford
  • 03 Gilbert
  • 12 Ferdinand
  • 15 Phillips
  • 16 Prosser (Barker - 82' )
  • 04 Hall Booked
  • 07 Grant Booked
  • 08 Timlin
  • 14 Martin (Harris - 57' )
  • 06 Bilel
  • 37 Eastwood (Crawford - 90' )

Substitutes

  • 05 Coughlan
  • 23 Barker
  • 11 Sawyer
  • 09 Harris
  • 20 Crawford

AFC Wimbledon

  • 01 Brown
  • 05 Stuart
  • 07 Hatton
  • 13 Bush Booked
  • 17 Mitchell-King Booked
  • 12 Jolley
  • 15 S Moore
  • 25 Moncur (L Moore - 74' )
  • 28 Knott (Yussuff - 36' )
  • 27 Harrison
  • 30 Prior (Midson - 64' )

Substitutes

  • 03 Gwillim
  • 23 Yussuff
  • 02 Turner
  • 10 Midson
  • 11 L Moore
Ref: Rushton
Att: 6,962

Match Stats

Shots

11 6

On target

5 3

Corners

5 3

Fouls

8 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:27 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +2:37

Michael Timlin produces a left-footed shot from outside the box and misses left.

90:00 +2:08

Free kick awarded for a foul by Neil Harris on Mat Mitchel-King. Seb Brown takes the free kick.

90:00 +1:23 Substitution

Substitution Harry Crawford joins the action as a substitute, replacing Freddy Eastwood.

90:00 +0:03 Booking

Booking Anthony Grant is booked.

89:24

The assist for the goal came from Freddy Eastwood.

89:24 Goal scored

Goal - Anthony Grant - Southend 2 - 0 Wimbledon A goal is scored by Anthony Grant from outside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Southend 2-0 AFC Wimbledon.

86:26

Ryan Hall takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post.

86:14

Freddy Eastwood takes a shot. Sammy Moore gets a block in.

85:09

Neil Harris fouled by Jamie Stuart, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Anthony Grant.

84:30

Mat Mitchel-King challenges Cameron Belford unfairly and gives away a free kick. Cameron Belford restarts play with the free kick.

83:49 Booking

Booking Ryan Hall receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.

83:37

Foul by Ryan Hall on Christian Jolley, free kick awarded. Rashid Yussuff takes the free kick.

82:56

Rashid Yussuff concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Hall. Peter Gilbert takes the indirect free kick.

81:40 Substitution

Substitution Chris Barker is brought on as a substitute for Luke Prosser.

78:59

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Ryan Hall from the left by-line.

78:48

The ball is sent over by Neil Harris, clearance made by Christian Jolley.

77:53

Unfair challenge on Michael Timlin by Byron Harrison results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Mark Phillips.

75:38

The ball is swung over by Chris Bush, Christian Jolley produces a left-footed shot from close in which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

73:38 Substitution

Substitution Luke Moore joins the action as a substitute, replacing George Moncur.

73:38

Handball by Freddy Eastwood. Free kick taken by Seb Brown.

73:02

The referee blows for offside. Cameron Belford restarts play with the free kick.

71:13 Booking

Booking Chris Bush is shown a yellow card.

70:56

Chris Bush challenges Kane Ferdinand unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Cameron Belford.

69:49

The assist for the goal came from Mark Phillips.

69:49 Goal scored

Goal - Freddy Eastwood - Southend 1 - 0 Wimbledon Freddy Eastwood finds the net with a headed goal from close range. Southend 1-0 AFC Wimbledon.

69:08

Inswinging corner taken by Anthony Grant,

68:57

Anthony Grant takes a shot. Rashid Yussuff gets a block in.

67:50

Corner taken by Ryan Hall from the left by-line, Header from deep inside the area by Bilel Mohsni goes over the bar.

67:43

The ball is delivered by Ryan Hall, Mat Mitchel-King makes a clearance.

67:01

Ryan Hall fouled by Christian Jolley, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Peter Gilbert.

65:41

Effort on goal by Freddy Eastwood from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.

61:37 Substitution

Substitution Jason Prior goes off and Jack Midson comes on.

61:37

Jason Prior fouled by Michael Timlin, the ref awards a free kick. Sammy Moore takes the free kick.

58:39

Free kick crossed left-footed by Ryan Hall from left wing.

58:39 Booking

Booking Mat Mitchel-King booked.

58:17

Mat Mitchel-King challenges Michael Timlin unfairly and gives away a free kick.

56:01 Substitution

Substitution David Martin goes off and Neil Harris comes on.

55:00

Freddy Eastwood is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Seb Brown.

53:59

Sammy Moore concedes a free kick for a foul on Anthony Grant. Michael Timlin takes the free kick.

52:57

Jason Prior takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

51:15

Samuel Hatton delivers the ball, Mark Phillips makes a clearance.

48:04

The ball is crossed by Samuel Hatton, clearance made by Mark Phillips.

47:16

Corner taken by Rashid Yussuff, Bilel Mohsni manages to make a clearance.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:00 +2:19 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +1:47

Ryan Hall takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Christian Jolley makes a clearance.

45:00 +0:46

A cross is delivered by Samuel Hatton, save made by Cameron Belford.

45:00 +0:12

Corner taken right-footed by Rashid Yussuff from the right by-line to the near post, save by Cameron Belford.

44:47

Sammy Moore takes a shot. Bilel Mohsni makes a clearance.

44:31

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Sammy Moore from the left by-line, Mark Phillips manages to make a clearance.

44:17

Jason Prior takes a shot. Mark Phillips gets a block in.

42:07

Anthony Grant challenges Rashid Yussuff unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sammy Moore restarts play with the free kick.

38:55

Michael Timlin has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the target.

35:44 Substitution

Substitution Rashid Yussuff joins the action as a substitute, replacing Billy Knott.

31:45

Ryan Hall gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jamie Stuart. Seb Brown takes the free kick.

31:38

The ball is sent over by David Martin, Jamie Stuart manages to make a clearance.

29:28

Handball by Mark Phillips. Sammy Moore takes the free kick.

29:19

Kane Ferdinand delivers the ball, clearance by Samuel Hatton.

28:31

David Martin sends in a cross, clearance made by Chris Bush.

27:41

Centre by Anthony Grant, clearance made by Mat Mitchel-King.

26:35

The offside flag is raised against Ryan Hall. Seb Brown restarts play with the free kick.

25:19

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mat Mitchel-King by Bilel Mohsni. Sammy Moore takes the indirect free kick.

24:14

David Martin produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.

20:50

Shot from outside the box by Byron Harrison goes wide right of the target.

19:02

George Moncur takes a shot. Save by Cameron Belford.

17:25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Hall on Billy Knott. Seb Brown takes the indirect free kick.

17:12

Ryan Hall takes a shot. Save by Seb Brown.

15:53

Bilel Mohsni gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sammy Moore. Seb Brown restarts play with the free kick.

14:29

Centre by Samuel Hatton, save made by Cameron Belford.

13:04

The ball is swung over by Chris Bush.

8:03

Freddy Eastwood is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Seb Brown.

7:35

A cross is delivered by David Martin, clearance made by Jamie Stuart.

6:44

The offside flag is raised against Jason Prior. Free kick taken by Cameron Belford.

3:59

Effort from just outside the area by Mark Phillips goes over the target.

3:32

Sammy Moore challenges Bilel Mohsni unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kane Ferdinand restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The game begins.

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