Southend 3-0 Shrewsbury
Last updated on .From the section Football
Southend scored twice from the spot as they went top of League Two with a comfortable home win over Shrewsbury.
Paul Sturrock's side went ahead on 27 minutes when Jermaine Grandison fouled Neil Harris inside the area and Liam Dickinson slotted home the penalty.
Grandison almost made amends, hitting the bar with eight minutes left.
But late goals from Mark Phillips and another penalty from Harris sealed victory for the home side - to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.
The Shrimpers took the initiative from the off, Jean-Paul Kalala's crossfield pass finding Dickinson, who forced a good save out of Smith at the left post, before the Shrewsbury keeper pulled off a fine double save.
Ryan Leonard's volley from the right deflected dangerously off Connor Goldson but Smith reacted quickly to parry the ball, and he then pushed Dickinson's follow-up out for a corner when it was easier for the striker to score.
But Shrewsbury's first defeat in three league matches looked on the cards when Grandison needlessly shoved Harris in the box and Dickinson dispatched his spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.
Shrewsbury hit back, James Collins forcing a save out of Glenn Morris before Southend wasted good chances to increase their lead. And the home side nearly paid the price when Grandison smashed a shot off the underside of the bar.
But Phillips made it 2-0 took advantage to slot home after Smith fumbled Ryan Hall's free-kick in the first minute of stoppage time before Harris put the final nail in the coffin with a last-gasp penalty following Cansdell-Sherriff's foul.
