Yeovil Town, fresh from a four day break, failed to bounce back to winning ways against Southend, as the league leaders took their unbeaten run to thirteen matches.
Manager Steve Thompson lost central defender Scott Guyett, who was still recovering from a virus, but was able to turn to Adam Lockwood, who had returned from a successful loan spell at Torquay recently.
Yeovil started the match well with Paul Terry firing a shot well over after five minutes. The Glovers really should have gone in front five minutes later when a move started by Arron Davies was only parried by Darryl Flahavan. The ball flew straight to Adam Lockwood but his header went wide.
It was a glorious chance and a goal then for Yeovil might well have seen a different scenario at the end of the day.
A minute later Freddie Eastwood had a chance go over as Southend showed there was no way they were playing for the draw.
At the back Southend were looking strong and with Efe Sodje back on his old hunting ground Yeovil were going to have to be more creative if they were going to break The Shrimpers down.
Barrett was booked for unsporting behaviour in the 23rd. minute, but Yeovil, for the main part, were the more attacking team with Poole and Cohen combining well in the midfield.
Up front Matt Harrold was battling well, as was stand in captain Phil Jevons, but the chances were few and far between as Yeovil strived to get back to winning ways.
Equally though, at the other end Southend were not having much luck either with both Goater and Eastwood well marked.
It was going to take something like a set piece to break the deadlock and when the referee penalised Cohen, Southend took their chance.
Southend worked the free kick to Bentley who managed to beat Steve Collis from close in.
The goal clearly effected Yeovil as Southend dominated for the remainder of the half with Eastwood and Goater both going close.
Half Time: Yeovil Town 0 Southend United 1
With a 6,000 plus side expecting a Yeovil fight back, the second half was a bit of a let down as Southend began to dominate.
At the back for Yeovil, Lockwood and Miles were repelling all boarders but Eastwood and Goater were a constant threat.
Southend were winning a string of corners to further frustrate Yeovil. Up to that point the closest Yeovil came to a goal was when Jevons fired over in the 54th. minute.
Two minutes later Jevons had another chance from a free kick but the set piece was fired well right.
With time running out Matty Harrold fired in a great shot but Flahavan was again up to the task.
Another corner from Arron Davies was cleared by Mark Bently but Davies was substituted in the 68th. minute when Bastianini was brought on to try to provide more threat up front for Yeovil.
A minute later Poole was booked for a foul on Jupp.
As the game wore on Yeovil were just not making enough chances and it came as no surprise when Southend went further in front.
Southend won a corner which Gower took and after a partial save by Collis, Goater was on hand to head home.
Steve Thompson brought on Kevin Gall for Matt Harrold but the change failed to inspire Yeovil any further and Southend, despite having Barratt dismissed for a second yellow card, were able to see out the time for another three points.
Final Score: Yeovil Town 0 Southend United 2
