Southend United turned the league form book upside down against Queens Park Rangers to secure an all-Essex showdown with Colchester United in the final of the LDV Vans southern section.

Leon Constantine

The Blues put recent disappointments in the FA Cup and league behind them to put high-flying Second Division QPR to the sword at Roots Hall last night.

Mark Gower set up Leon Constantine for the first of Southend's goals on 12 minutes.

But it was in the second half when the home side really turned on the style with Steven Clark adding a second on 67 minutes.

Drewe Broughton then netted a brace on 69 and 79 minutes to set up a clash against north Essex rivals Colchester who beat Northampton 3-2.

For more on this story and pictures see today's Evening Echo.

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Published Wednesday January 21, 2004