Shrimpers soar to summit

Penalties from Liam Dickinson and Neil Harris put Southend top of the League Two after a 3-0 home win over Shrewsbury.

Dickinson dispatched his spot-kick into the bottom-right corner in the 27th minute with Town goalkeeper Ben Smith diving in the opposite direction, after Jermaine Grandison had needlessly shoved Harris in the box. Mark Phillips stabbed home a loose ball 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 Shane Cansdell-Sherriff's foul. 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 to keep the Blues at bay. Shrewsbury hit back with James Collins forcing a save out of Glenn Morris before Southend wasted some good chances to increase their lead. They nearly paid the price when Grandison smashed a shot off the underside of the bar, but Phillips took advantage to slot home after Smith failed to control Hall's free-kick. And Harris' penalty kick into the top centre of the goal following Cansdell-Sherriff's foul on Hall confirmed the victory.