Southend United have climbed back into the top half of the League One table courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Sheffield United at Roots Hall this evening.

It took just nine minutes of the match for the first shot on target to come as Billy Sharp turned and fired an effort towards goal that Daniel Bentley needed to turn away.

Southend had their first sight of goal shortly afterwards when Gary Deegan shot wide from just inside the area, but they wouldn't have to wait too much longer to break the deadlock.

David Worrall's free kick initially found Adam Thompson, but his header was fumbled and Tyrone Barnett was there to prod the ball home from close range.

The visitors were level just six minutes later, though, as a well-worked free kick on the edge of the box ended with Dean Hammond nodding the equaliser in at the far post.

Both sides had chances to move ahead before the interval, with Sharp testing Bentley once more and Steven McLaughlin and Barnett both narrowly missing the target for Southend.

The hosts made the brighter start to the second half, but the first chance after half time fell the way of Sheffield United when Che Adams fired over the crossbar from 10 yards.

Sharp then came close twice in quick succession, but that profligacy was punished on the hour mark when Worrall cut in from the right flank and arrowed an effort into the far corner to give his side the lead again.

Southend continued to push for a third goal that would put the game to bed, with Deegan and Barnett both threatening within the space of six minutes as the hosts' pressure began to build.

Barnett was only denied by a fine save from George Long in the closing stages, but the third goal did eventually arrive in the final minute of normal time when Jack Payne raced onto a long ball, beat his marker and then chipped his finish over the keeper.

There was no time for the visitors to respond as they dropped below Southend in the table, with Phil Brown's men climbing all the way up to eighth.