A two-goal burst from Franck Moussa helped inspire Southend United to their first win of 2010 at home to Walsall.
Scott Spencer's third goal for the club at the start of the second half in-between Moussa's strikes allowed the Blues to record a 3-0 victory and move to within one point of safety in the League One standings.
Walsall's own cause was not helped by the dismissal of Clayton McDonald, but it was to Southend's credit that they took full advantage with an impressive performance at Roots Hall, as well as creating history by becoming the first football club to wear specially designed purple shirts to help publicise the global fight to eradicate polio.
The first half began as a tentative affair with Steve Jones arrowing a 25 yard strike over the top for Walsall, but the match soon sprang into life in the 19th minute, with Moussa putting the Blues in front.
Much has been made of Johnny Herd's throw-ins and they played their part in the opening goal, as the young left-back launched the ball into the penalty box and although it was half cleared, Moussa arrived to drill a stunning volley into the bottom corner of the net.
It wasn't long before Moussa showed his confidence from long range when making a clean strike of the ball from 30 yards out and seeing it sail narrowly over the crossbar.
Walsall's cause was not helped by being reduced to 10 men, as McDonald was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Anthony Grant.
Despite the numerical disadvantage that hindered the visitors, they still made two serious threats at the end of the first half, with Troy Deeney seeing his close range shot from a free kick blocked by Pat Baldwin.
Matt Richards could not have come any closer though when taking aim from a free kick 20 yards out and seeing the ball cannon back off the woodwork before Julian Gray headed the rebound over the top from in front of goal.
Southend came out searching for a second goal after the interval and that is just what they got inside six minutes.
Spencer saw an initial header at the far post blocked, but he was not to be denied moments later when heading in Moussa's left wing cross beyond the reach of Rene Gilmartin's outstretched arm.
The Blues continued to apply the pressure and create chances at the same time, as Scott Vernon saw a shot blocked wide of goal before Moussa was denied by the legs of Gilmartin.
Moussa had another sight of goal when heading over at the far post before Osei Sankofa roamed forward for a corner, only to see his own header hit the top of the bar.
Walsall struggled to create at the other end and after Harry Crawford came on seven minutes from time to make his first team debut, Moussa added his second goal of the night a minute from time.
Simon Francis found the space he needed from the right wing and delivered the perfect cross for man of the match Moussa to head the ball goalwards and into the net off the post.
Southend: Mildenhall, Francis, Sankofa, Baldwin, Herd, Scannell (O'Keefe 64), Grant, McCormack, Moussa, Spencer (Crawford 83), Vernon.
Walsall: Gilmartin, Jones, Mattis (Bradley 78), Deeney, Nicholls, Taundry, O'Keefe (Smith 38), Vincent, Richards (Till 46), Gray, McDonald.
