Southend are outside the National League relegation zone on goal difference after Danny Waldron’s second-half winner sent them to a 2-1 victory away at Maidenhead.
With 11 sides separated by only four points, the visitors earned a crucial win that left their opponents with just a single-point cushion on safety.
Defender Kevin Lokko’s goal just before half-time had drawn Maidenhead level as they tried in vain to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat.
Earlier, Southend’s Adam Crowther had given his side the lead en route to claiming a first league win since January 13.
