Southend 1 Swans 2

Lee Trundle again proved why he is one of the hottest properties outside the Premiership after scoring one and making the other in Swansea's victory at Southend.

The former Wrexham striker was a constant threat throughout and deservedly put the Swans ahead just before half-time before setting up Adebayo Akinfenwa two minutes after the break.

The result means Swansea leapfrog Southend to the top of Coca-Cola League One.

Akinfenwa, restored to the side after starting on the bench in the FA Cup defeat to Stockport, shot wide early on but it was Southend who produced the first effort on target.

The dangerous Freddy Eastwood shot straight into the hands of Willy Gueret from 25 yards but Swansea became more dominant as the half wore on and Trundle was causing numerous problems for the Shrimpers defence.

The tricky striker first fired straight at goalkeeper Bart Griemink in the 15th minute before being denied a glorious opportunity to open the scoring a minute later when Southend's Dutch shot-stopper saved with his feet from Trundle.

Trundle turned provider soon after as he crossed for strike partner Akinfenwa but his weak header caused no problems for Griemink.

But five minutes before the break Swansea unsurprisingly drew first blood through Trundle who latched on to a header from Owain Tudur-Jones before smashing home his 15th goal of the season.

Things got worse for the home side as Swansea scored a second just two minutes after the break. Trundle played the ball towards Akinfenwa who made no mistake from six yards out.

But Southend steadily improved as the half wore on and Kevin Maher's powerful shot was well saved by Gueret before the Frenchman denied Mitchell Cole's close-range header.

Eastwood volleyed home Maher's cross nine minutes before the end but it proved little more than a consolation as Swansea held on for three valuable points.

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