Southend United eased the pressure on manager Rob Newman last night by succeeding where Premiership big-guns Everton had failed.
The Merseyside giants were the last visitors to Gay Meadow for an FA Cup third round clash, which ended in veteran striker Nigel Jemson's double blast clinching a memorable giant-killing act for Shrewsbury Town.
But the Blues of Essex were determined not to suffer the same fate, keeping their national headline stealing hosts well in check as they clinched a fifth away victory of the season to move up to 15th place in Division Three.
It's there - Jay Smith (left) celebrates his goal with Mark Rawle Picture: LUAN MARSHALL
Shrimpers midfielder Jay Smith got the all important goal, his second of the campaign, during the opening period.
Nobody typified the Seasiders' fighting spirit more than skipper for the evening, Mark Beard, with the right-back fighting tooth and nail for every ball.
Leon Cort was outstanding in the centre of defence, keeping a tight leash on Shrewsbury's highly-rated marksman Luke Rodgers, who had single-handedly destroyed Blues at Roots Hall earlier in the season.
Jay Smith made a return to form, growing stronger as the game wore on. He also highlighted the fact he is the only central midfielder at Southend who looks capable of making the box and getting a goal.
But the most irresistible display was served up by winger Steven Clark, who made his first league start since November.
And this was the Clark of old. The Clark whose exciting pace-fuelled performances persuaded Newman to pay West Ham £50,000 for his services last term.
Shrewsbury threatened first on 14 minutes, with Rodgers racing on to Cort's under-hit back-pass, but a combination of Blues goalkeeper Danny Gay and left-back Damon Searle shut out the nippy frontman.
Rodgers smashed over the bar from 18 yards four minutes later, but it was Southend who made the breakthrough with their first real forward foray on 20 minutes.
Wideman Clark made a mazy run through the centre of the park and fed Danny Marney whose deflected centre fell into Bramble's path, allowing the striker to pull back a right by-line cross which Jay Smith tucked in at the far post.
Rodgers broke free on the hour mark, brushing aside Beard on the edge of Blues' box, before unleashing a vicious low 12-yard shot, which Gay blocked with an outstretched leg.
On 67 minutes, Clark looked to have a decent case for a penalty, following another storming run, when his shirt was pulled in the box by right-back Darren Moss, but the referee waved away his appeals.
Southend squandered another chance with three minutes remaining, when Bramble rose above Dunbavin to meet Searle's deep left-wing cross, but he glanced wide of a virtually open goal.
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Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003
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