Portsmouth 1 : 2 Southend United - Pressure mounts on Awford

Portsmouth manager Andy Awford's job prospects took another hit after his side's 2-1 defeat at home to promotion-chasing Southend.

Goals from Ryan Leonard and Joe Piggott earned the Shrimpers the points as Phil Brown's men came from behind to cancel out Andy Webster's opener in a game which saw men from either side dismissed late on.

Pompey chairman Iain McInnes described the game as a "must win" in his programme notes in a thinly-veiled warning to Awford.

The hosts started strongly and turned their dominance into a goal when Webster rose highest to head home a Craig Westcarr free-kick in the 24th minute.

Portsmouth led for just five minutes before Leonard escaped the attentions of the home back-line to coast in and cushion the ball into the back of the net after a header across goal from David Worrall.

Pigott bagged the winner 19 minutes from time, picking up on a knock-down from Barry Corr before seeing his deflected attempt find the back of the net.

The Shrimpers played out the final six minutes with 10 men after Corr was sent off for picking up a second yellow card for kicking the ball away while home striker Paul McCallum was dismissed for fighting in the dying seconds.