Paul Sturrock recorded a rare win in the league cup tonight as Southend United superbly saw off Bristol City 3-2 after extra time at Roots Hall.

The Scottish manager had triumphed in the knock out competition just once in nine games before arriving at Blues during the summer.

But his side were in fine form against their Championship opponents and a brace from striker Matt Paterson saw them unexpectedly surge in to the second round.

Southend were forced to come from behind to earn the exciting win as it took the visitors just two minutes to open the scoring with Jamie McAllister netting a scorching 25 yard free-kick.

The Scottish left-back unleashed a well struck shot which flew in to the left hand side of the South Stand net after Albert Adomah had been brought down by Blues' make-shift right-back Josh Simpson.

Aside from Simpson's positional alteration, there were four changes in personnel made by manager Sturrock as Graham Coughlan, Sofiene Zaaboub, Matt Paterson and Blair Sturrock were all named in the starting line -up.

But it was Bristol City, who had England's World Cup goalkeeper David James on the bench, that remained on top and Ivan Sproule should soon have made it 2-0 in the 13^th minute.

However, the Robins striker miscontrolled a left wing cross from David Clarkson when left unmarked just 12 yards from goal and an excellent opportunity was wasted.

Southend replied in the 28^th minute with their first effort of the evening on target as Zaaboub's low, 25 yard free-kick was palmed away by Dean Gerken.

Paterson then saw a close range shot deflected over the crossbar but, in the 31^st minute, he brought Blues back level from the penalty spot.

The former Southampton forward made no mistake with an assured effort which hit the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar after Anthony Grant had been brought down inside the area by ex Blues winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

With Southend now far more assertive, Zaaboub sent a 20 yard effort wide of the left post with the outside of his left foot but City hit back with Sproule firing over from just inside the penalty area.

At the start of the second half, Louie Soares curled a 20 yard free-kick over the crossbar and, in the 53^rd minute, the Blues winger unleashed a low left footed shot which was impressively saved by the legs of Gerken.

Soares then headed wide of the right post from 12 yards before Paterson curled an impressive free-kick, from just outside the penalty area, inches off target.

Blues came even close to scoring in the 64^th minute when Grant's 20 yard shot was brilliantly palmed away to his right by Gerken and, only moments later, the shot-stopper, who hails from Rayleigh, pushed away another effort from the same player.

Gerken's saved soon increased in significance too as Sproule converted a low, left wing cross from Adomah in the 82^nd minute.

But Blues were behind for just six minutes as two of their substitutes combined with Scott Spencer crossing from the right hand side for Barry Corr to head home.

That sent the tie in to extra time and, in the 104^th minute, Southend netted what proved to be the decisive goal as Ryan Hall crossed from the left hand side and Paterson made no mistake with a fine header in to the bottom left hand corner of the net.