Southend United upset the form book at Roots Hall yesterday afternoon as a brace from Adam Barrett secured a 2-1 victory over a previously unbeaten Macclesfield Town.

Hit the deck - Macclesfield goalkeeper Alan Fettis is a spectator as Adam Barrett opens the scoring for the Shrimpers Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

The determined defender netted a rare double as the Shrimpers kick-started their stuttering start to the season by finally claiming their first victory of the current campaign.

But it was the visitors who began the brighter of the two sides and, with just two minutes on the clock, Brian Horton's men came agonisingly close to opening the scoring as the goal-getting Jon Parkin curled a 12-yard shot against the Seasiders' cross bar.

The on-rushing Graham Potter was unable to convert the subsequent rebound but Blues soon hit back with the recalled Tes Bramble fizzing a well struck 25-yard effort just wide of the right upright.

Adam Barrett then prodded a low, left wing cross from Mark Gower straight at Alan Fettis before Paul Harsley lashed a long range shot wide of the right post as play again switched back towards the North Bank net.

Blues then began to create a series of more conventional chances with Bramble heading a Kevin Maher cross wide of the target and Lawrie Dudfield striking the side netting from close range following some impressive approach play from Bramble and Gower on the left flank.

Bramble then dragged a low shot wide of the left post from 10 yards but, with 40 minutes on the clock, Blues finally broke the deadlock as a well placed Adam Barrett nodded a deep, left wing free kick from Maher into the bottom left hand corner of the net from six yards.

After the break, Danny Whittaker fired a 25-yard effort just off target but, in the 51st minute, the long serving Macclesfield midfielder netted his first goal of the season in unusual fashion following an error from Shrimpers shot-stopper Griemink.

The former Swindon Town keeper miscued a routine clearance along the floor and could only watch in horror as Whittaker increased his embarrassment by slotting a low 45-yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the South Stand net.

Blues were to be level for just four minutes though as, in the 55th minute, Barrett was at it again as he chested home a deep Maher corner which had deceived a stranded Fettis from the right flank.

Published Tuesday August 31, 2004

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