Southend remain bottom of the Championship following a 1-0 defeat to new leaders Derby County.

Steve Howard's goal after 33 minutes put Derby three points clear at the top of the Championship table and ended Southend's six-match unbeaten run.

The Rams swapped places with Birmingham City, whose match at Leicester was postponed, although Steve Bruce's team have two games in hand on County.

The visitors had the better of the first half when they also hit a post.

But after the break the Shrimpers matched their high-flying opposition and could have at least got a draw had it not been for goalkeeper Stephen Bywater and defender Marc Edworthy.

Full match report in Monday's Echo.