Dan Harding scored a brilliant free kick against his former club to help Southend United secure a 1-0 win at home to Leeds United.
Harding returned from suspension in the perfect fashion, with his first half strike helping the Blues deliver a much-needed response after the weekend defeat at Bristol Rovers.
Tilson: Plenty of Positives Gallery: Southend United 1 Leeds United 0
Francis Laurent also caught the eye with an impressive display up front alongside the hard working Alex Revell, as Southend moved up to seventh spot in League One.
The first half was played at a fast and frantic pace, with Southend making a dominant start by forcing the early pressure.
Adam Barrett nearly profited from some mishandling by Casper Ankergren, after the Leeds' goalkeeper dropped a Harding corner into the captain's path, but his shot was blocked.
A superb turn from Laurent allowed him to get away from his marker to deliver a 25 yard strike, which Ankergren turned away the post.
Laurent continued to keep the Leeds stopper busy when directing another shot goalwards from a tight angle, but Ankergren reacted to parry the ball to safety.
Southend's spirited start finally brought its reward in the 18th minute when Harding curled a brilliant free kick from the edge of the box above the head of Ankergren and into the top corner.
The Blues should have doubled their lead shortly after, when Laurent caused further problems to find his aim at goal and although Ankergren was on hand to beat away his shot, Hal Robson-Kanu looked well positioned to score from the rebound, but blazed over the top.
It was an escape for Leeds and one which they used to their advantage, as they started to come more into the game.
Jonathan Douglas dragged a shot wide of the target when found 15 yards out and Lubomir Michalik wasted an even better chance when he misshit the ball from inside the box, after a corner fell perfectly into his path.
Southend eventually found their stride again and finished the first half back on form, with Simon Francis and Kevin Betsy combining well down the right flank to present Robson-Kanu with a great opening, but he struck a low shot straight at Ankergren.
Fabian Delph forced a fine save from Adam Federici, as the Australian leapt to push his shot around the post, while Laurent also had decent penalty appeals turned down when he appeared to be pushed over by Michalik inside the box at the end of the first half.
The second half didn't contain the drama and excitement of the opening 45 minutes, but Southend continued to hold their own despite needing a superb save from Federici to keep them ahead.
Federici stuck his arm out as he dived to the floor to keep out Neil Kilkenny's fierce effort and push the ball over the top.
Harding tried to repeat his first half goal when he was presented with another set piece and came close to finding the back of the net before Ankergren jumped off the ground to push the ball around the right-hand post.
Other chances still arrived; Revell flashed a low shot narrowly wide of the opposite post and Laurent scooped the ball off target from Betsy's square pass.
Leeds had a late rally of possession, but bar an Andy Robinson strike sailing straight into Federici's gloves from a decent position, Southend comfortably held out and were worthy winners.
Southend: Federici, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Harding, Betsy, Christophe, Sawyer (Grant 81), Robson-Kanu, Laurent (Scannell 76), Revell (McCormack 84).
Leeds: Ankergren, Richardson, Douglas, Michalik, Kilkenny (Robinson 66), Beckford, Becchio, Howson, Delph (Snodgrass 66), Parker, Telfer.
