SOUTHEND United got their promotion campaign back on track with a vital win over fellow high flyers Darlington.

Goals from central midfielder Mark Bentley and substitute striker Freddy Eastwood ended the Quakers' five-match unbeaten run and opened a five-point gap between the fourth-placed Blues and their visitors.

The Shrimpers dominated the first half but were frustrated by good defending from the Darlo back line.

And with a draw looking on the cards Southend manager Steve Tilson brought on top scorer Freddy Eastwood and within nine minutes he set up the opening goal.

Eastwood beat Liddle and squared the ball to Bentley who fired home from 10 yards after 77 minutes.

And it was another Southend substitute, winger Mark Gower, who helped secure the win.

Gower had been on the pitch just over a minute when he received Nicolau's cross on the right of the box in stoppage time and fed Eastwood for his 13th goal of the season.