Two goals from trialist striker Scott Spencer helped Southend United's Reserves record their first win of the season at home to local rivals Colchester United.
The visitors twice fought back at Roots Hall, but with captain Stuart O'Keefe also on target, Spencer secured a 3-2 win just 10 minutes from time for Ricky Duncan's team.
Spencer, on trial from Rochdale, had a good chance to put Southend in front when he volleyed wide of the left-hand post, but the striker soon found the back of the net just moments later.
With the referee playing advantage after Justin Clayton was fouled outside the box, Spencer got past his marker and side footed the ball past goalkeeper Shane Cusack in the 18th minute.
Spencer then looked to turn provider, as he exchanged passes with Craig Calver down the left wing before crossing for Kyle Asante to powerfully head the ball wide of the target.
Spencer continued to be involved in the thick of the action, after the ball was cleared as he looked to cut it back for Calver in front of goal, before Osei Sankofa had a half chance when hitting a low strike into the gloves of Cusack.
Colchester did draw level in the 29th minute of the match, as Craig Arnott waltzed his way into the penalty box after bypassing four challenges before Jordan Pavett picked up possession and arrowed the ball past Ian Joyce.
Southend looked to get back on top when O'Keefe curled a shot past the post, but he was soon celebrating getting on the scoresheet with an excellent finish from Calver's square pass in the 41st minute.
Spencer had two bites of the cherry as he looked to increase the Blues' lead before the interval, but was denied on both occasions with the ball eventually deflected over the top.
There were fewer chances for Southend in the second half, with Calver blasting an early sight of goal over the top before Colchester's Tom Bender hit the crossbar with an attempted cross from the left.
Colchester did work their way back into the game in the 62nd minute though, with Michael Rafter getting away down the right and crossing for an unmarked Arnott to tap the ball in at the far post.
The way the game was panning out in the closing stages it looked as though a draw was on the cards, but Spencer clearly had other ideas and with Colchester struggling to clear their lines from a free kick, he turned into the box and drilled the ball into the net via the right-hand post.
The drama continued into injury time with Harry Crawford having a good shout for a penalty denied, after he picked up the loose ball from Jamie Dennis and appeared to be brought down.
Pavett broke free for the U's at the death and having shaken off the attentions of Duran Reynolds he lobbed the ball over the advancing Joyce, but just wide of the target, as Southend held out for the victory.
Southend: Joyce, Sankofa, Wilson, James-Lewis (Dennis 74), Clayton, Reynolds, Milner, O'Keefe, Calver, Spencer, Asante (Crawford 81).
