Brewers end Shrimpers' streak
Last Updated: December 29, 2012 7:27pm
Zola: Broke the deadlock on 16 minutes
Southend's long unbeaten run came to an end as Burton ran out 2-0 winners at home despite ending the game with 10 men.
Paul Sturrock's men had not lost in 14 outings in a run stretching back to October 23, but Burton improved their own promotion hopes with their second home win in four days.
The hosts made a bright start and were rewarded with the opening goal in the 16th minute when Calvin Zola slid home a Lee Bell cross from six yards for his 11th goal of the season.
Southend enjoyed a spell of domination during which top scorer Gavin Tomlin had a shot pushed round a post by home 'keeper Dean Lyness.
Burton survived a searching examination to double their advantage in the 36th minute.
Zola played the ball across the edge of the area and Bell's fierce shot took a big deflection off Southend skipper Paul Smith to leave keeper Paul Smith stranded.
Lyness was able to smother a deflected Michael Timlin free-kick as the visitors tried to find a way back into the game after the break.
Burton had defender Nathan Stanton sent off for a second yellow card after a clash with Luke Prosser in the 75th minute.
Matches
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npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
