Garner gives Jol something to smile about

Jol and his right-hand man, Chris Hughton, were the star names in the Roots Hall directors' box, 48 hours after they were sacked.

'I'm just here watching a football match,' insisted Jol, and the prospect of the Dutchman wanting to take charge of either side does indeed appear fanciful.

It was more that Jol found it hard to resist the prospect of watching a game away from the pressures of the last few months.

He saw Garner strike after 59 minutes, latching on to Danny Graham's header to fire home from 12 yards out and claim his fifth, and so far most important, goal of the season.

The home side had enjoyed plenty of possession but their inability to turn pressure into clear opportunities cost them dearly and gave the travelling fans something to show for their long journey south.

Garner could have put Carlisle ahead before half-time, only to be denied by Southend goalkeeper Steven Collis, who also denied Peter Murphy and Joe Anyinsah in the closing stages. Graham should have scored but stabbed wide of an open goal from three yards out.

Southend will look back on chances for Leon Clarke and Nick Bailey midway through the second period, and rue a performance which left much to be desired.

Referee Dean Whitestone was kept as busy as anyone, handing out eight bookings as the match occasionally threatened to boil over.

Southend's late period of pressure offered them the opportunity to claim something from the game but Carlisle's assured back four held firm for a valuable win.