SOUTHEND United charged up to fourth in the League Two table with a 3-1 win over Rochdale at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Blues went a goal behind five minutes in to the second half when Terry Gornell headed Dale in front.

But goals from Britt Assombalonga, Gavin Tomlin and Marc Laird saw Paul Sturrock’s side fight-back to record a third win in the space of seven days.

Southend threatened from the start and almost opened the scoring in the ninth minute of the match when a fine left wing cross from Michael Timlin picked out Assombalonga who headed the ball against the inside of the left post from 12 yards.

Moments later, Assombalonga had another effort smothered by Rochdale goalkeeper Josh Lillis but the visitors soon replied with veteran striker Dele Adebola sending a 12 yard shot straight at Blues’ custodian Paul Smith.

With Dale continuing to push forward, Terry Gornell had a close range header from Andrew Tutte’s right wing cross easily kept out by Smith before Bobby Grant sent a 30 yard free-kick inches past the left post.

In reply, Mark Phillips then fired over a left wing cross from Timlin but, on the stroke of half time, it was the visitors’ turn to almost go in front when another free-kick from Gayle was impressively pushed to safety by Smith.

But Dale were not to be denied and opened the scoring five minutes in to the second half when Phil Edwards’ right wing cross was met at the far post by Gornell whose low header was missed by Mark Phillips on the goal-line before hitting the back of the net.

However, Blues were back level just seven minutes later with Assombalonga bagging his 12th goal of the season.

The striker collected a cross-field pass from Marc Laird before charging forward and sending a low 20 yard shot in to the back of the North Bank net.

Sixty seconds later, things got even better for Blues as they took the lead with Tomlin again on target.

The experienced forward reacted quickest after Lillis had parried out a left wing cross from Timlin and stroked the ball in to the bottom right hand corner of the net from six yards for his fifth goal in three games.

Tomlin went close again when he sent a chipped shot over the crossbar from 20 yards after controlling a long clearance from Smith but Blues did make it 3-1 in the 79th minute.

Assombalonga was this time the provider as he rolled a left wing pass in to the path of Laird who neatly chipped the ball past the advancing Lillis to extend Southend’s advantage and make it seven games without defeat.