Southend vaulted back to the top of London One by knocking Haywards Heath off top spot at Warners Park.
The game was tied 11-11 at the break, but Southend took the initiative in the second half to claim the points after an agonising six minutes of stoppage time.
Ali Chambers -- London One's second leading points scorer -- led the scoring with five penalties, while James Wagstaff weighed in with a try.
Big boot - scrum-half Simon Webb kicks the ball for Southend Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
It was a game played with power, pace and passion and Southend made the perfect start when Chambers slotted over a fourth-minute penalty.
Owen Ashton replied in kind for Haywards Heath before Chambers restored Southend's lead with a further three points on 15 minutes.
But it was Haywards Heath who started to turn up the pressure when scrum-half Alex Meredith streaked past three despairing tackles for a superb try. Ashton then added a penalty goal.
The game was becoming a tactical battle between Southend's forwards and the Haywards backs.
And it was a forward, James Wagstaff, who tied up the scores for Southend when he sniped over for a 36th-minute try.
Haywards Heath started the brighter in the second half and Ashton slotted over another penalty. Southend had two men yellow-carded and the visitors also lost a player during this period.
But three penalties from Chambers, the second after a superb burst from flying winger Charlie Knight, put Southend on top at 20-17.
Published Tuesday October 29, 2002
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