Easton from villain to hero in last-gasp win

Skipper Craig Easton blasted home an injury-time half-volley to win this game for Southend – just two minutes after giving away the penalty that looked to have rescued a point for Wycombe.
Easton was adjudged to have blocked Gareth Ainsworth’s cross with his hand and Scott Rendell struck to level the game at 2-2, but Easton had the last word, smashing home a loose ball.
Southend had come from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the second half. Headers from Barry Corr and Kane Ferdinand, both from Ryan Hall centres, put Southend ahead after John-Paul Pittman’s opener.
A tepid first half display was quickly forgotten when Corr escaped his marker to head Hall’s 50th minute corner powerfully into the bottom corner.
Ferdinand then scored his first senior goal, heading an inswinging cross powerfully into the bottom corner.
Blues then had a gilt-edged chance to seal the win when Grant was bundled over in the box. With Corr having just been substituted, responsibility fell to Blair Sturrock, but his weak kick was saved.
And that miss looked to prove costly when Easton was penalised in the last minute of normal time. Rendell’s kick sent Evans the wrong way, but a minute into injury time, Easton won it to put Southend within three points of the playoffs.

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