Daryl Flahavan saved two penalties as Southend made it 10 games unbeaten with a 3-1 win away at struggling Crewe on Saturday afternoon.The 30-year-old kept out spot-kicks from Crewe's Gary Roberts and Kenny Lunt in either half as they maintained their promotion push.

Former Alex loan man Lee Barnard put the visitors ahead within two minutes when the home defence crumbled as he sneaked through and poked past keeper Ben Williams.

Southend doubled their lead after 19 minutes when Alan McCormack fed James Walker and Williams could not prevent his shot trickling home.

Crewe were thrown a lifeline after 33 minutes when Nicky Maynard was fouled in the box by Peter Clarke, but Roberts saw his penalty brilliantly saved by the diving Flahavan.

Flahavan was the hero again 17 minutes from time, saving Lunt's effort after Simon Francis hacked down Maynard and although Maynard headed home Lunt's cross a minute later, Barnard completed the scoring 10 minutes from the end.

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