Screaming first half shots from Anthony Grant and Josh Simpson saw Southend United see off table-topping Torquay United 2-1 at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The midfield duo both netted from long range as Paul Sturrock's side recorded their first home league victory of the season.

Blues dominated the first half and saw plenty of the ball early on, with Blair Sturrock diverting a left wing free-kick from Ryan Hall wide of the left post and, with nine minutes on the clock, Simpson fired over from 18 yards after good work from Hall and Sturrock had created the chance.

But Southend were not to be denied an early breakthrough as, in the 15th minute, a right wing corner from Hall was cleared in to the path of Grant who instantly curled a fantastic 20 yard shot in to the top right hand corner of the South Stand net.

In reply, Torquay winger Wayne Carlisle volleyed wide of the left post from the edge of the penalty area but Blues were soon back on top with Soares sending an ambitious left footed shot from 25 yards just wide of the target.

Southend went close again in the 27th minute when Bilel Mohsni headed over Craig Easton's looping right wing cross which had not been dealt with by visiting goalkeeper Scott Bevan.

Grant then fired a low 10 yard drive against the foot of the left post but Torquay were also denied by the woodwork just four minutes before the break when Mark Ellis' left footed shot struck the outside of the left upright.

Southend immediately made the most of the let off too as they doubled their lead in fine fashion in the 43rd minute as Simpson charged through the centre of the park before unleashing a well struck 25 yard shot which flew in to the bottom right hand corner of the net.

At the start of the second period, Hall burst in to the box and had his shirt clearly pulled by Torquay right back Chris Robertson.

However, Hall opted to stay on his foot and his subsequent low shot was scrambled for as corner by Bevan.

From that flag-kick, taken by Soares, Chris Barker flicked the ball at the near post and Bilel Mohsni seemed set to score until Guy Branston intervened with a brave header.

Soares then prodded the ball wide of the right post from 20 yards after being teed up by Simpson In reply, a Chris Zebroski half volley flew inches wide of the left post after the striker had outmuscled Peter Gilbert and, in 69th minute, a deflected effort from Kevin Nicolson hit the top of the crossbar.

Torquay eventually got back in to the game in the 78th minute when Zebroski converted from 12 yards.

The striker reacted quickest after a tame shot from Martin Gritton had bounced back off the left post.

The Gulls continued to push forward and should have soon equalised when Robertson burst down the right flank before teeing up Nick Wroe but the Torquay skipper could only scuff his effort from 12 yards wide of the left post when he should have done better.

Carlisle then volleyed just inches past the right post from 25 yards and, in a bid to keep Torquay at bay, Sturrock then introduced the experienced Graham Coughlan in to the action and switched to a five man midfield.

Deep in to stoppage time Ellis' header from a Nicolson free-kick was superbly saved low to his left by Morris and Southend held on to record a third successive victory.