Cureton treble spells Shrimpers trouble

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Cureton latched onto a defensive howler from Efe Sodje to fire the Us ahead after just 37 seconds, doubled their lead with a stunning 20-yard effort and finished off the Shrimpers with a classic poacher's third to make it 21 goals in a prolific season.

Southend kicked off knowing victory would offer at least a temporary respite from the relegation zone, but defeat leaves them with an uphill battle to avoid the drop back to League One.

All too often this season they have been architects of their own downfall, and while Steve Tilson's men enjoyed plenty of possession, Sodje's early Easter present left them chasing the game from the off.

Peter Clarke skied his clearance on the edge of the area and Sodje attempted to guide the ball back to Darryl Flahavan, but only succeeded in teeing up Cureton, who hit a first-time volley past the stranded home goalkeeper.

Dean Gerken nearly gifted Southend a leveller as the interval approached when his clearance hit Freddy Eastwood, but the forward could only deflect the ball wide.

After the break Gerken preserved Colchester's lead with a smart save from Peter Clarke's header, and Cureton immediately provided the sucker-punch, collecting Chris Iwelumo's chest-down, sauntering forward and unleashing an unstoppable 20-yard shot past Darryl Flahavan.

Eastwood fired another effort from distance before squandering his best chance, heading over from close range.

And Southend were made to pay when Chris Barker overlapped down the left and played in Cureton to steer the ball past Flahavan for his sixth goal in three games to cap another fine win for Colchester and leave the Shrimpers in deep trouble.