Southend kept their play-off hopes on track with a 1-0 win against Swindon at the County Ground thanks to a first-half strike by Simon Francis.In a poor League One contest on Monday, the Shrimpers adapted better to the wind and bumpy pitch and it was no surprise when Francis put them ahead after 18 minutes.

The defender cut in from the right to see his 20-yard shot deflect off Swindon defender Hasney Aljofree and loop over the goalkeeper, off the crossbar and into the net.

There was little quality from either side but Mark Gower looked lively on the left for Southend and got in one dangerous cross but his team-mates were unable to connect.

The second half continued with Southend in the ascendancy and Alan McCormack might easily have increased the visitors' lead but he was marginally offside from Gower's low cross.

Swindon looked a ragged outfit as the visitors bossed the midfield. McCormack fired over from 18 yards and only an exceptional save from Peter Brezovan in the home goal thwarted James Walker.

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