Southend overcame the first-half dismissal of Ben Goodliffe to return to winnings ways with a 1-0 success over derby rivals Braintree.
Both sides had sight of goal in the opening half but things took a downturn for Southend shortly before the interval when Goodliffe was shown a straight red card for a needless challenge on Sahid Kamara.
The dismissal appeared to charge the Shrimpers, however, and after Leon Chambers-Parillon had seen his shot from distance strike the inside of the post, they made the decisive breakthrough after 75 minutes.
Oli Coker supplied the corner which was headed in from a few yards out by half-time substitute Gus Scott-Morriss. Coker then almost added a second three minutes later when his effort was stopped by the legs of home goalkeeper Mason Terry.
