United Boss John Ward went for an unchanged and very attack minded formation for this top of the table clash at Roots Hall, with natural width on both flanks courtesy of Hackney and Anyinsah.

Kev Gall remained on the bench, despite an impressive midweek Reserve performance, with Danny Carlton chomping at the bit beside him.

United received an early warning of what Southend could produce in attack when Black found space in midfield. His 20 yard pass looked to have set Hooper free until a timely intervention from Murphy brought the move to an end.

There were gaps to exploit for both sides and Hackney skipped through a challenge in the 5th minute that left him with options in midfield. He fed it wide to Garner, but the young striker chose to drag it back inside instead of going for the early shot. Barrett recovered and was across quickly to block.

The Cumbrians crafted a decent opening on 13 minutes when Hackney picked up a loose ball in the centre of the park. He committed his marker, allowing Bridge-Wilkinson the time he needed to get it forward quickly. Garner was on to it, but his threaded pass behind the back line had just too much on it, and it bobbled away for a goal kick.

A game full of early mistakes offered little in front of goal, and a 23rd minute header from Joe Garner, that dropped nicely for Collis, was the only highlight of a tense opening spell.

Carlisle were almost made to pay for a lapse in concentration in the 26th minute when Clarke found himself with a clear route in to the penalty area. Gower and Hooper were in support, but the big forward man drilled it low towards the bottom corner, making it a simple save for Westwood.

There was much more to do for the Carlisle stopper in the 33rd minute though when Mr Whitestone awarded a free kick to the home side, when Clarke and Murphy tussled for possession. After what seemed like an age of arguing over the correct ball position, Steve Hammell curled his 25 yarder towards the top corner, bringing a full length dive and save between the United sticks.

Southend looked lively on the break but United were equal to it, typified in the 38th minute when Gower and Hooper raced away, only to be caught by Raven and Murphy.

Lumsdon and Murphy threw themselves in front of two Clarke shots in the 42nd minute, as unforced errors crept in to the Cumbrian play.

A bitty, disjointed half, brought around mostly by a string of strange decisions from the officials, ended with a hopeful Peter Clarke shot that rebounded off Chris Lumsdon's heel and bounced awkwardly in front of a cautious Keiren Westwood. Having said that, the visitors had done their job well, controlling much of what had gone on in the centre of the pitch.

Half Time: Southend 0 - 0 United

It was another tight start after the break, with only a neat bit of skill from Hackney making anything close to what could be called a chance as the ball passed from side to side like a hot potato.

His step over in the 51st minute sent Garner through, and he found Graham 10 yards from goal. A drop of the shoulder almost opened a gap, but Barrett dived in to take the ball off the United forward's toes.

Southend replied with a lovely free kick routine that took everyone by surprise in the 53rd minute. Black and Hammell had the slightest of touches, before Clarke was released with a deft back-heel. He drilled it low, but the wall did its job by deflecting it just wide of the target.

The best piece of football of the day brought a superb goal for Joe Garner when Chris Lumsdon executed a wonderful 30-yard pass that put Graham in control in the box. He cushioned his header back towards his waiting strike partner, and he made no mistake as he buried his 12 yard volley in to the bottom corner to give the visitors a much deserved lead.

It was heart in the mouth time in the 63rd minute when Bailey sped towards a ball over the top, and ran in to the box. Raven slid in to the tackle, and the diminutive Southend man hit the floor in dramatic fashion. Mr Whitestone was having none of it, and brought out the yellow card for the theatrical dive.

Both keepers were called upon to make parried saves within 60 seconds of each other in the 70th minute, starting with a Southend foray in to the box from Hooper. Pushed wide, he struck his shot towards the near post, but Westwood was waiting.

Straight up the other end and Bridge-Wilkinson and Hackney interlinked before the latter found Anyinsah with his back to goal. A swift turn left his marker for dead, and Collis had to make himself big to block the resulting shot.

Aranalde had to leave the field with an injury to his face in the 78th minute, with Arnison coming on to fill the left back area.

Southend were suddenly getting forward more, and Barrett sent a 6 yard header at Westwood as the corner count started to mount.

It could have all been wrapped up in the 82nd minute when Joe Garner pounced on a defensive error. Drawing Collis out, he clipped it beyond him and laid it on a plate for Danny Graham, who had the net to aim at just 4 yards out. Losing his footing he could only get the merest of touches, and somehow sent it wide.

It just wasn't Graham's day as he found himself through again just three minutes later, this time courtesy of good work from Hackney. Slipping at the vital moment he scuffed his 16-yard effort and had to watch in agony as it drifted wide.

The home side were finding it hard to create but, deep in to time added on, Barrett found a yard and headed a deep cross back towards his waiting forwards. Westwood was equal to it, and he laid claim to to it, signalling the beginnings of a top of the table party for the 650 strong travelling Blue Army.

Goals

United - Garner (59)

Bookings

Southend - Hunt (36), Hammell (43), Bailey (63), MacDonald (87)

United - Raven (61), Anyinsah (64), Livesey (66), Westwood (90)

Teams

Southend - Collis, Hunt, Clarke, Barrett, Gower (Harold 85), McCormack, Black, Hammell, Hooper (MacDonald 78), Bailey, Clarke. Subs - Wilson, Maher, Moussa.

United - Westwood, Raven, Livesey, Murphy, Aranalde (Arnison 78), Anyinsah, Bridge-Wilkinson, Lumsdon, Hackney, Garner, Graham. Subs - Howarth, McDermott, Carlton, Gall.

Away fans - 650