Ben Abbey's tenth goal of the season ended Southend United's barren run of form at Roots Hall against visitors Lincoln City.

The 22-year-old headed home after 38 minutes, meeting a left-wing cross from Damon Searle at the near-post, giving Blues their first home win for more than a month.

The Shrimpers missed a glut of chances during the first-half against a Lincoln side who have gone all season without a Third Division victory on their travels.

And the Imps' hero was on-loan keeper Chris Day, who made a string of fine saves to deny Southend and keep Lincoln in the game.

However, the visitors missed their best chance to grab a point, when former Blues striker Tony Battersby blazed wide of an open goal from 12-yards just after the break.

Full match report and pictures in today's Evening Echo

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.