Southend United 1-0 Leeds

Southend United put on an extremely impressive display to beat promotion rivals Leeds at a packed Roots Hall.

Dan Harding's stunning free kick on 18 minutes was the difference between the two sides as the Blues moved up to 7th and banished the memory of Saturday's defeat at Bristol Rovers.

With Southend's two top scorers still missing, Steve Tilson handed a full home debut to striker Francis Laurent. Previous to tonight the French forward had come off the bench twice and netted in both games. And the decision to start with him rather than say - James Walker - was the key to winning this game. Although Laurent didn't score, he was absolutely immense tonight and will be giving Dougie Freedman and Lee Barnard cause for concern as he looks to establish himself as a first team regular.

Southend were quick out of the blocks, hassling and closing down Leeds at every opportunity. Adam Barrett's foray forward in the opening exchanges almost paid off when visiting 'keeper Casper Ankergren fumbled a corner into the path of the Blues defender. But as Barrett sent his shot goalwards it was blocked at the last second.

Ten minutes in and Laurent was imposing himself on the game. Turning defenders on the half way line and either forcing them into a foul or merely brushing them aside as he strode forward. He did the latter on 11 when he picked up the ball 40 yards from goal. On the left, he spun, beat two men and unleashed a 25-yard shot which Ankergren turned around the post.

Laurent was proving too much for the Leeds' rear guard and just three minutes later he was forcing the Leeds' stopper into another fine save - this time a shot from an acute angle made the 'keeper work at his near post.

Buoyed by Tilson's latest gem, the crowd really started to get behind the Blues. On 18, Laurent was brought down for a Blues' free kick around 20 yards out on the right. Up stepped Dan Harding, who dispatched an inch perfect screamer into the top right hand corner. It was sweet for Harding who signed for Leeds back in 2006 for a tribunal fee of £850,000. The Ipswich loanee went straight back into tonight's team after a three match suspension, leaving a disappointed Osei Sankofa on the bench. It proved to be the correct decision.

Southend really should have been two goals up four minutes later. Laurent had another ferocious attempt parried by Ankergren but Hal Robson-Kanu was slightly slow to react, and in the end had to rush his shot, which he blazed over from 12 yards out. Luckily the miss didn't prove costly.

Leeds started to come back into the game after around 25 minutes and were playing some attractive passing football, but never really getting past a very disciplined Southend back line. It appeared the Shrimpers had done their homework on the Yorkshire outfit, letting them play up until the 30-yard mark and then closing down in numbers. Jonathan Douglas dragged his shot wide on 31 and then Lubomir Michalik should have done better in the box on 36.

But the Blues upped the tempo themselves to finish the half stronger. Kevin Betsy squared a low ball to Robson-Kanu about 16 yards from goal, but the latter's shot went straight into the arms of the relieved keeper. And Laurent should have had a penalty just before the break when he appeared to be shoved to the ground by Michalik, but the referee waved away protests, insisting the challenge was 50/50.

Leeds were quicker into their stride in the second period with the game taking on a new guise. The visitors upped their possession and passing rate, trying to tire the Blues midfield. Southend broke quicker and were more decisive in their attacks. Adam Federici was on sparkling form again as he made a spectacular save from Neil Kilkenny on 54 and then a full length stop from Fabian Delph six minutes later. Two fine stops from the on-loan 'keeper ensured the Blues were to be rewarded for their hard work and pure commitment to tonight's cause.

Harding nearly added a second, but this free kick was well saved by Ankergren on 70. Alex Revell who also had a good game led the front line well and will be angry with himself for not hitting the target on 77 when he flashed a shot wide. Then the tiring Laurent - who was suffering from cramp late on - nearly put the icing on the cake but his low shot fizzed wide.

Leeds really put the pressure on the Blues backline in the final ten. Andy Robinson tested Federici, who made an easy stop on 84 and he also shot way off target just three minutes later. Robert Snodgrass also had an effort late on but was frustrated to see the Shrimpers' keeper behind a decent effort.

The Blues managed to hang on and they'll be delighted to see their hard work and effort rewarded with three points against a very strong Leeds side.

Part one of the big four days is now over. Southend face arch rivals Colchester on Saturday at Roots Hall at 1pm. Their game was called off tonight because of snow at Northampton. I wonder how much of tonight's game has taken out of them? Shall be interesting to see the reaction on Saturday.

LONGPIER WITNESSED:
- In the West Stand tonight, so no clappy-hands man or silent family to deal with. However I was caught between two 'Rain Mans'. They didn't want to fly Quantas - but did want affirmation from EVERYTHING they said. "That was close wasn't it....WASN'T IT?" "Is that Harding? I've only been once this year...I said IS THAT HARDING?". Bloody hell. Good job the game was so entertaining otherwise there could have been problems. I should have offered to let them sit next to each other.

- Man sitting behind me - must have been 70-odd, shouting advice every single minute of the game. Constantly telling Hal or "Kanu" to come over and mark someone, even when we were attacking. Often didn't finish his sentences when mid-shout. Hilarious, but I now have a headache.

- Coffee Kids. Why is it that these kids who serve tea, coffee, coke and Snickers from their backpack never go into the crowd? What about the poor bugars who want a warming cuppa on a cold night, but are in Row K or worst still Row X? They go around the perimeter and serve it over the bloody walls. What's the point? It forces people to get up and out of their seats - much to the annoyance of other fans and go down to them. In US sports stadia they actually walk up and down thousands of flights of stairs to dish out hot dogs, pretzels and the like. So why can't ours do the same. Answers on a postcard please.

LONGPIER RATINGS:

Federici 9 - Another excellent display from the Reading loanee. Commanding and made some fantastic saves.
Francis 7 - Better display from Simon. Held the backline well.
Clarke 8 - Excellent tonight, fantastic workrate and better passing.
Barrett 7.5 - Good marking and some crucial interventions. No time to go forward tonight.
Harding 8.5 - Fantastic goal, could have had second too. Very assured at the back.
Betsy 7 - Good running on right, always wanted to be fed ball.
Christophe 7.5 - Always hassling and closing down fancy Leeds play. Good workrate.
Sawyer 7.5 - Made one or two mistakes of running into trouble, otherwise good chasing.
Robson-Kanu 7 - Should have scored early on. Caused Leeds problems.
Laurent 9.5 - Spectacular performance from the striker. A goal would have got him the elusive Longpier 10 but nevertheless a fantastic display - MAN OF THE MATCH
Revell 8 - What he lacks in class, he makes up for in workrate. Great game from Alex

SUBS:
Scannell (76) 6.5 - Decent running and gave Leeds' defence something to worry about for final 15.
Grant (81) 6.5 - Looked assured when he came on
McCormack (84) 6 - Slightly off pace but still chased and hassled

ATTENDANCE:
10,132

REF:
8 - Let the game flow, wrong decision on penalty claim