Southend United 2 : 0 Northampton Town - Shrimpers see off 10-man Cobblers

Southend United made it four league wins in a row after seeing off 10-man Northampton Town 2-0 at Roots Hall.

The two teams were evenly matched until an error from Cobblers goalkeepers Jordan Archer gifted the Shrimpers the lead and a numerical advantage just 21 minutes from the end.

Archer, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, spilt a cross from Myles Weston before bringing down Barry Corr after the striker had latched on to the loose ball.

Archer was sent off for the foul and Corr then rubbed salt into the wounds of the visitors by firing the resulting penalty high in to the left-hand side of the net past Northampton's substitute goalkeeper Matt Duke.

David Worrall then completed the scoring in the 79th minute to ensure another successful afternoon for Phil Brown's side when he fired home a left wing cross from Weston.

Before Archer's dismissal there had been little excitement but Jack Payne did waste a great early chance for the Shrimpers when he fired wide of the right post from close range.