Young Southend United striker Barry Conlon came of age on Saturday as he finally justified his £90,000 price tag.

Cup fighters Swansea City, who knocked Blues' east London rivals West Ham out of the FA Cup earlier in the season, arrived in Southend desperate to pick up three precious points to keep their promotion aspirations alive.

However, the Swans were soon brought crashing back down to earth as Conlon put on a classy match-winning performance to inspire the Shrimpers to a desperately-needed victory.

The 20-year-old was a constant threat up front alongside Neville Roach - making his home debut - as he cut Swansea's flapping rearguard to shreds with his intelligent passing which opened up constant attacking opportunities for Southend.

Southend's fans were singing Conlon's name from the tops of their voices long before the final whistle as he finally stuffed the words of his critics - who had branded him an expensive flop - back down their throats.

It was Conlon who set up Roach for Southend's opening goal before registering his fourth goal for the Shrimpers - and his first at Roots Hall - four minutes from time.

How he deserved it - gone was the Conlon who has spent more time on his backside than in the opposition box since arriving at Roots Hall from Manchester City last September.

What was on show on Saturday was a revitalised Irishman who has grown in confidence and stature ever since his dramatic entrance as a half-time substitute at Rotherham last month.

He was an inspiration at Millmoor and, although the now departed Kevin Rapley rightly received the plaudits for scoring the two goals which helped Blues grab an unlikely 2-2 draw, it was Conlon who re-invented himself that day.

Something finally clicked for the luckless Republic of Ireland under-21 international during Blues' epic fightback in Yorkshire.

Although he is far from being the finished article, he showed his true potential as he led Southend to only their second win in eight league games against the Swans.

Southend boss Alvin Martin stuck by the 5-3-2 formation which had collapsed so horrendously at Cambridge United the weekend before in a 3-0 defeat.

However, the Shrimpers chief made one surprising change to his line-up by dropping first choice goalkeeper Martyn Margetson in favour of rookie custodian Mel Capleton.

Swansea looked anything but genuine promotion contenders as lowly Southend ripped John Hollins' disorientated team apart with ease straight from the kick-off.

The visitors' attempts to defend their goal where comical to say the least and it seemed to be a case of when would Southend score, rather than if they would find the net.

Blues could have had a penalty as early as the fourth minute when Swansea's blundering back four got in a tangle with Roach, who was felled as he tried to shield Scott Houghton's pass, but the referee waved away the Shrimpers' appeals.

Roach, who was quickly endearing himself to the Roots Hall faithful, tested Swansea keeper Matt Gregg with a low drive from the edge of the box four minutes later before notching his first Southend goal after 16 minutes.

Houghton fired in a deep cross from the left-wing which Conlon stretched to meet and head back across goal to Roach, who controlled and sidestepped his marker in one motion before placing the ball just inside Gregg's left post.

Swansea hit back almost instantly forcing Capleton into a spectacular full-length save after 22 minutes when he turned away Ryan Casey's scorching 18-yard drive.

Blues continued to create numerous openings before the break with defender Rob Newman, Conlon and Houghton guilty of missing good opportunities which could have finished their opponents off.

However, Southend resumed play in the second period in the same dominant manner, creating a golden opportunity for midfielder Kevin Maher after 47 minutes.

Gregg was forced into heading Maher's original lofted forward pass to safety after rushing out of his area to beat Roach to the ball and although the clearance landed at Maher's feet 25-yards from goal he chipped wide of an open net.

Fellow midfielder Lars Unger nearly gifted Swans striker Steve Watkin an equaliser when his attempt to clear a Richard Appleby free-kick fell into the forward's path, but Capleton saved the day again with an expert tip over the bar.

However, Appleby's set play was destined to be his last taste of action on this afternoon as he kicked straight through Southend left-back Martyn Booty's leg and received a red card for his efforts on 59 minutes.

Unruffled and trying to make the extra man count Southend continued to push forward and Houghton came close as he nudged Roach's right-wing cross inches past the post on the stretch after 74 minutes.

Conlon was denied three times by desperate Swansea defending, but finally got the goal he richly deserved with four minutes left.

Houghton's long clearance was misjudged by Swans centre-back Matthew Bound allowing Conlon to run through and nick the ball off Roach's boot to fire past Gregg from 18 yards.

Going up - Southend skipper Simon Coleman rises to challenge for the ball

(Right) Great start - Neville Roach (front) capped his Roots Hall debut with a goal Pictures: STEVE O'CONNELL

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