Southend United made it three wins in a row in all competitions with a confident 3-0 triumph away at Morecambe.
Slavi Spasov continued his fine scoring form by netting his fourth goal in three games to open the scoring, before Ben Goodliffe doubled the advantage with a well-taken volley. Substitute Josh Walker added a third in stoppage time to complete a dominant evening for the Blues.
Manager Kevin Maher made one change from the side that defeated Aldershot Town, with Spasov returning to the starting line-up in place of Walker.
A strong start from the hosts
Morecambe began brightly, with George Thomas twice finding himself behind the Southend backline early on, only to steer his efforts wide. Jack Nolan then wasted a golden opportunity for the hosts, dragging his shot wide of the near post after the Shrimpers were caught out in midfield.
After absorbing that early pressure, Southend began to grow into the game. Gus Scott-Morriss went close to connecting with Harry Boyes’ teasing cross, before the visitors took the lead midway through the first half.
A swift counterattack led by Keenan Appiah-Forson saw him slide the ball into Spasov, who cut inside his defender and coolly slotted beyond Jamal Blackman to make it 1-0.
Fifteen minutes later, Southend doubled their advantage. Boyes delivered a superb free-kick into the danger area, and Goodliffe was on hand to volley home from close range, giving the visitors a comfortable two-goal cushion heading into the break.
Half-time: Morecambe 0–2 Southend United
The hosts again dominated early possession after the restart, with Miguel Azeez flashing a shot narrowly wide from 20 yards. Elijah Dixon-Bonner also forced a save from Collin Andeng Ndi, but Southend’s defence held firm.
Maher’s substitutions brought renewed energy into the side, with Oli Coker, Josh Walker and Leon Parillon all introduced midway through the half. Their impact was immediate, as the Shrimpers began to regain control and looked threatening on the counterattack.
Morecambe’s best chance to mount a comeback came when Gwion Edwards intercepted a pass from Andeng Ndi, only to hit the post with the goal gaping. The rebound fell to Nolan, but the Southend goalkeeper redeemed himself with a smart save to tip over the bar.
From there, Southend saw out the contest with composure, and deep into stoppage time, Walker found space at the near post to turn home the third goal — putting the result beyond doubt.
Full-time: Morecambe 0–3 Southend United
The victory lifts Southend back into the play-off places, sitting seventh in the table ahead of their next fixture at Roots Hall against Brackley Town.
Goals:
Southend United – Spasov (25’), Goodliffe (40’), Walker (90+4’)
Bookings:
Morecambe – Edwards (8’), Nuttall (44’), Kacurri (90’)
Southend United – Taylor (90+3’)
Attendance: 3,042 (448 away)
Referee: Paul Marsden