An 18th minute effort from defender Simon Francis saw Southend United walk away with all three points at The County Ground.

Francis breezed through several challenges before firing in off the underside of the bar for the only goal of the game at SN1. Swindon had included Barry Corr in their starting line-up but the Irishman was forced off moments before the interval with another shoulder injury.

Town kicked off heading towards the Stratton Bank and it was returning striker Barry Corr who had the first effort on a goal. After good link up play from Cox, Easton's cross found Corr who headed into the arms of Flahavan from 12 yards.

James Walker was on the receiving end of two strong challenges from Michael Timlin and Jerel Ifil inside the opening minutes but the Southend front man was able to continue. Timlin was booked though for his initial challenge.

Another robust challenge from Ifil on Walker saw Southend presented with a prime opportunity. Charlie Mulgrew stepped up on nine minutes but could only bend his left foot effort narrowly over from 25 yards.

Simon Francis then entered the referee's notebook after bringing down McNamee and he became the second player of the afternoon to receive a caution.

Swindon then charged forward and after a purposeful run from McNamee, Easton's cross from the right rolled out to Michael Timlin whose low effort was gathered by Flahavan on 14 minutes.

It was Swindon who had enjoyed the better chances in the opening twenty minutes, whilst Southend had done most of the pressing.

The Blues made the most of their early possession and were soon into the lead. A mazy run from right-back Simon Francis saw him jink inside attempted challenges from Comminges and Aljofree before blasting the ball into the net off the crossbar to open the scoring from the edge of the area.

In response Swindon looked to their liveliest player - Anthony McNamee - for inspiration. The winger put in two excellent crosses in before creating another opportunity for his side. McNamee's lay-off found McGovern who drive his right foot shot agonisingly wide on 24 minutes.

Town could have drawn themselves level on the half-hour. A Timlin corner found Barry Corr unmarked but his header floated wide from 12 yards.

The visitors could have doubled their lead on 39 minutes. A cross from the left by Mark Gower flashed across the face of goal with Robson-Kanu and Walker unable to get a touch.

Barry Corr was forced off on 43 minutes with what looked like a repeat of his shoulder injury which had kept him out of action for over a month. Billy Paynter was soon stripped and ready for action and he took the field to face his former club on the stroke of half-time.

H/T: Swindon Town 0 Southend United 1

Swindon made one change at the break with midfielder Lee Peacock returning from a three-game suspension to replace Michael Timlin, slotting in alongside Craig Easton in the middle.

A fired-up Peacock seemed to scramble Swindon into action in the early stages of the new half. McNamee's cross on 52 minutes was easily gathered by Flahavan with Town foraging for a leveller.

Jack Smith was booked on 53 minutes after bringing down James Walker out wide, before Nicky Bailey struck straight at Brezovan from distance with the game opening up.

Two minutes later Swindon's best chance arrived. A pinpoint pass from right to left from Smith to McNamee saw the winger drive inside towards the box. He unleashed a right-foot shot from the edge of the box which saw Simon Cox meet the ball, but his effort drifted wide from close range.

Southend had a penalty appeal turned down as the hour approached after a free-kick into the box appeared to connect with Ifil's hand but thankfully for Swindon the game continued without a penalty award.

A poor back pass from Lee Peacock on 64 minutes eventually saw the ball played through to Alan McCormack whose wild effort flew into the Stratton Bank from distance. An excellent save from Peter Brezovan from James Walker kept Town in the game with the visitors eager to double their lead.

Sofiene Zaaboub entered the fray on 72 minutes as Town's final throw of the dice. The Frenchman replaced McGovern on the right-flank with Swindon still searching for inspiration.

Lee Barnard was denied by another good stop from Brezovan from close range on 74 minutes with the Slovakian playing a large part in keeping the score down.

Craig Easton's lofted ball into the box minutes later presented Swindon with a rare chance and despite rising highest, Peacock headed over under the challenge of Flahavan on the edge of the six-yard box.

A corner from McNamee was easily cleared on 78 minutes before Billy Paynter was denied by a block against his former employers.

Billy Paynter had Swindon's best chance of the game on 82 minutes. A deep cross from McNamee from the left was headed back across by Zaaboub at the back post. The ball rolled free to Paynter who was denied from eight yards by Peter Clarke who hacked the ball clear.

Paynter was then again in the thick of the action as he fired over sixty seconds later after being set up by Cox with Town still searching for the equaliser. Three additional minutes saw Peacock and Easton go close from a Zaaboub cross, but the game ended with Swindon now looking to Friday's trip to Tranmere Rovers for points.

F/T: Swindon Town 0 Southend United 1

Goal: Francis '18

Swindon Town: Peter Brezovan; Jack Smith, Jerel Ifil, Hasney Aljofree ©, Miguel Comminges; Jon-Paul McGovern, Craig Easton, Michael Timlin, Anthony McNamee; Simon Cox, Barry Corr

Substitutes:  Blair Sturrock, Sofiene Zaaboub, Lee Peacock, Andy Nicholas, Billy Paynter

Match updates will follow throughout the game as well as a full match report, reaction and a match gallery after the final whistle.