SOUTHEND United centre back Adam Barrett was the star of the show for the Shrimpers once again on Saturday as the prolific defender continued his amazing scoring streak in front of goal.

The former Bristol Rovers captain nodded home efforts in each half as Steve Tilson's side secured their third victory in four games against bottom-of-the-table Notts County at Meadow Lane.

But despite Southend's eventual dominance, it was the home-side who started strongly.

And, with nine minutes on the clock, only a last-ditch, sliding challenge from Che Wilson prevented speedy former Seasiders winger Tony Scully registering an effort on target after a jinking run from the industrious Irishman.

Seconds later, Paul Bolland volleyed an ambitious 25-yard volley way off target before Tes Bramble's effort, from a similar distance at the other end of the field, flew well wide of the left post.

Bramble's strike partner Lawrie Dudfield then flashed an 10-yard shot just wide of the right upright.

But the Shrimpers opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a well worked left wing corner involving Kevin Maher.

The Seasiders skipper exchanged passes with Mark Gower to curl over an inviting cross which Barrett powered into the top right hand corner of the net with a bullet header from 10 yards.

Gower then fired a curling 20-yard shot into the grateful gloves of Wayne Henderson and, on the stroke of half time, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was at it again, this time striking another well struck shot straight at the County shot-stopper.

After the break however, Barrett did brilliantly to divert Youssef Sofiane's shot wide of the Shrimpers goal and, having survived the scare, Blues soon began to carve open the County rearguard at will.

As a result, Tes Bramble turned to fire a 10-yard half-volley over the cross bar in the 53rd minute before seeing his low right foot shot well blocked by Ian Richardson.

But, from the resulting corner, the Seasiders deservedly doubled their lead as Barrett, who else, leapt high to nod a right wing flag kick from Maher into the top right-hand corner of the net from 12 yards.

Maher himself then dragged a 20-yard shot wide of the right post but, in reply, Mike Edwards embarrassingly sent a pathetic seven-yard shot sailing over the Seasiders goal.

The miss should soon have increased in significance as Mark Gower brilliantly teed up Lawrie Dudfield just eight yards from goal but, with the net virtually gaping, the former Hull City forward scuffed his shot, enabling Mike Whitlow to scramble clear.

Gower then curled a 12-yard shot wide of the right post and, after another mesmeric run from the ex-Barnet battler, Dudfield mis-hit a driven effort wide of the right post.

The home side soon hit back however and, in the 86th minute, Gary Mills' men halved the deficit as substitute striker Glynn Hurst struck a deflected shot past a diving Darryl Flahavan into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

That sparked a grandstand finish but, with the Shrimpers defending solidly, it was the Essex outfit who came closest to scoring, with sub Wayne Gray wasting two great chances.

Gray replaced back injury victim Bramble and in the 88th minute the the former Wimbledon forward looped an eight yard effort over the County cross bar.

And deep into added on time, the speedy 23-year-old fired Jim Corbett's through ball straight at Henderson in the final action of the afternoon.