Southend 2-0 Plymouth
- Published
Goals from Liam Dickinson and Peter Gilbert moved Southend into the play-off places as Plymouth suffered their eighth successive league defeat.
Dickinson put the Shrimpers ahead when he converted a penalty after Durrell Berry had fouled Michael Timlin.
Things then got worse for the Pilgrims as captain Carl Fletcher was shown a straight red card for grabbing Timlin.
Gilbert scored against his former side, his first goal since October 2003, with a close-range header to seal the win.
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Sturrock's half-time 'blast' inspires Southend
Southend United manager Paul Sturrock told BBC Essex:
"The first half wasn't pleasing, it wasn't the standards we were wanting to achieve.
"The second half, after a blast, we came out and showed enthusiasm.
"We were a lot better, we got ourselves in the right areas and created a load of chances."
Plymouth manager Peter Reid told BBC Radio Devon:
The penalty changed everything - Reid
"When they got the penalty we always knew it was going to be difficult.
"As much as we huffed and puffed it wasn't to be today.
"You have to have a desire to get into those positions and score goals and we didn't."