Match ends, Southend United 1, Hartlepool United 0.
David Worrall's third goal in five games helped Southend bounce back from their FA Cup exit to non-league Chester by beating bottom club Hartlepool.
Worrall, Barry Corr and Kevan Hurst all forced Hartlepool goalkeeper Scott Flinders into first-half action.
Flinders also denied Michael Timlin after the break but could do nothing to stop Worrall firing home left-footed from 12 yards following Corr's pass.
Pools almost levelled, but Charlie Wyke was denied by keeper Daniel Bentley.
Bradley Walker also went close for Pools in the closing stages when he fired inches wide.
Southend stay in the League Two play-off places in seventh but Hartlepool remain rooted to the bottom with just one win in their last 11 games.
Line-ups
Southend
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Bentley
- 5Thompson
- 15Bolger
- 6Prosser
- 2White
- 7Worrall
- 18Leonard
- 8TimlinBooked at 11mins
- 14Hurst
- 10Corr
- 19Payne
Substitutes
- 12Atkinson
- 16Clifford
- 17Coulthirst
- 20Layne
- 21Smith
- 22Deegan
- 34Matsuzaka
Hartlepool
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Flinders
- 21Duckworth
- 5Collins
- 26Harrison
- 2AustinBooked at 45mins
- 7Franks
- 16Featherstone
- 8Walker
- 27SchmeltzSubstituted forRichardsat 56'minutes
- 24WykeSubstituted forHarewoodat 79'minutes
- 29CrooksSubstituted forFenwickat 56'minutesBooked at 85mins
Substitutes
- 3Holden
- 4Bates
- 9Harewood
- 17Fenwick
- 18Hawkins
- 19Richards
- 20Jones
- Referee:
- Pat Miller
- Attendance:
- 5,436
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home22
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home12
- Away3
- Corners
- Home4
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Southend United 1, Hartlepool United 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Brad Walker (Hartlepool United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Post update
Barry Corr (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Scott Harrison (Hartlepool United).
Post update
Foul by Kevan Hurst (Southend United).
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Michael Duckworth (Hartlepool United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Luke Prosser (Southend United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Scott Fenwick (Hartlepool United).
Booking
Scott Fenwick (Hartlepool United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt missed. Cian Bolger (Southend United) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the right.
Post update
Corner, Southend United. Conceded by Nicky Featherstone.
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Corner, Southend United. Conceded by Neil Austin.
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Barry Corr (Southend United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Sam Collins (Hartlepool United).
Substitution
Substitution, Hartlepool United. Marlon Harewood replaces Charlie Wyke.
Post update
Attempt saved. Michael Timlin (Southend United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. David Worrall (Southend United) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Post update
Cian Bolger (Southend United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Scott Fenwick (Hartlepool United).