Lee Barnard's ninth goal of the season handed Southend United an impressive 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town.
The result continued the team's excellent run of form and made it a third straight victory to lift the Blues up to seventh in the League One table, with a second half penalty from Barnard enough to settle proceedings.
Both sides were eager to get the ball into the final third from kick-off, but while there were few clear-cut chances at the start, once the game warmed up, it was Southend who looked the most likely to score.
A swift attack from the Blues allowed Franck Moussa to dart down the left wing and deliver a cross to the waiting Damian Scannell at the far post, but Theo Robinson, unaware of his colleagues presence, nipped in first with a header wide of the target.
But Scannell was soon to get a sight of goal, as he twisted and turned inside the box to set up a shot which looked goal bound before it took a deflection and bounced just over the top of the goal.
There was further good build-up from the Blues, with Moussa cutting in from the left to line up a shot for Alan McCormack on the edge of the box that, although struck with power, was blocked to safety.
And on the stroke of half time, McCormack again raced inside the box, as he collected a pass from Robinson, but volleyed narrowly over the bar when presented with a great opening to break the deadlock.
It was a more eventful start after the break, as Anthony Pilkington brought out a fine save from Steve Mildenhall at the start when arrowing a low strike which was turned around the post by an outstretched hand.
Almost immediately though Southend broke forward and should have scored.
A long ball saw Robinson beat advancing goalkeeper Alex Smithies to the ball, but as he charged forward and with just Nathan Clarke standing in front of goal, his composure deserted him and he somehow shot wide of the left-hand post.
The Blues continued the pressure and created further chances, with Robinson inches away from connecting with a cross in front of goal before Dorian Dervite was first to connect with Moussa's free kick, but headed straight at Smithies.
Southend were then awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute, after Moussa's left wing cross was adjudged to have hit the hand of Tom Clarke inside the box.
Barnard stepped up and, as he did against Hartlepool in the previous game, he slotted the spot kick into the back of the net, sending Smithies the wrong way in the process.
With Huddersfield looking to get back into the game, Mildenhall was pressed into action to dive down to save from Danny Cadamarteri while at the other end, Robinson was first to react to a loose ball in the box, but could only hook it into the gloves of Smithies.
Going into the closing stages of the match, Andy Butler was found alone at the far post, but headed wide and Gary Roberts' deflected strike was well held by Mildenhall, as Southend survived four minutes of injury times to deservedly gain the three points.
Southend: Mildenhall, Francis, Dervite, Clarke, Barrett, Scannell (Christophe 84), Grant, McCormack, Moussa, Robinson, Barnard.
Huddersfield: Smithies, T Clarke, N Clarke, Butler, Kelly, Ainsworth (Booth 57), Goodwin (Flynn 65), Collins, Roberts, Pilkington, Cadamarteri.
