Southend United strengthened their place in the play-offs with a 3-0 win at Sutton United this afternoon, thanks to a trio of second half goals.
The seventh placed Shrimpers initially struggled to capitalise on chances during a dominant display at the Borough Sport Ground.
A brace from Gus Scott-Morriss and a fortuitous effort from Slavi Spasov saw Kevin Maher’s side record their fourth win in 10 days as they moved five points clear of eighth placed.
Shrimpers Dominate First Half
Blues were on top straight from the start with the recalled Charley Kendall curling an effort wide of the right post before the visitors wasted a brilliant chance to break the deadlock with Scott-Morriss scuffing an eight yard shot wide of the right post with his left foot.
Moments later, Kendall volleyed over following a half cleared free-kick from Boyes before Scott-Morriss fired Boyes’ left wing cross wide of the left post with his left foot.
Blues remained on the front foot with James Golding soon having a low shot pushed to safety by Sutton goalkeeper Jack Sims before a driven effort from Scott-Morriss was deflected wide of the right post.
The resulting corner from Boyes also dropped to Scott-Morriss who curled his effort over the crossbar from inside the penalty area before the half ended with Golding sending a long range shot straight at Sims.
Second Half Goals Secure the Win
After the break, Sims also collected a 25 yard shot from Sam Austin before Blues finally broke the deadlock in fortuitous fashion with 53 minutes on the clock.
A dangerous ball into the box from Spasov posed problems but appeared to be missed by his strike-partner Kendall before it somehow rolled through the legs of Sims and trickled over the goal-line.
In reply, Sutton midfielder Lewis Simper sent a swerving long range shot inches past the left post.
But, after surviving a rare scare, the Shrimpers doubled their lead on the hour mark with another effort needing a dubious goal panel.
Boyes brilliantly tricked his way past Simper before delivering a brilliant left wing cross which was diverted into the back of the net among a host of bodies with Scott-Morriss claiming the final touch.
Three minutes later, it was 3-0 to Blues – with Scott-Morriss definitely the scorer this time.
The right wing-back collected the ball in the right hand side of the penalty area before scoring with a superbly lifted shot high into the top left hand corner of the net.
Late Substitutions and Comfortable Finish
The Shrimpers soon made a trio of changes with Ben Goodliffe, Tom Hopper and Andrew Dallas all entering the action.
Jack Bridge and Noah Mawene also came on in the dying minutes but, unlike Friday against Braintree Town, there was no late drama, as Blues comfortably held on to secure a convincing victory.