JOE Pigott rediscovered his best form to fire Southend United to a 2-1 win at Crewe Alexandra tonight.

Having gone nine games without a goal, the striker scored twice in the space of six second half minutes to secure a third successive victory for the Shrimpers.

And his well taken brace also enabled Blues to move upto 10th in the League One table.

Southend certainly deserved their latest triumph against their struggling hosts and the visitors started brightly with David Mooney having a goalbound shot cleared by Crewe defender Stephen Kingsley before Ryan Leonard sent a right wing fizzing across the face of the six yard box.

Moments later, Mooney saw a close range volley ruled out for a clear offside decision before a mis-hit right wing cross from Luke O’Neill had to be tipped over the crossbar by Crewe’s backpedalling goalkeeper Ben Garratt.

The subsequent corner, which was played short, resulted in Pigott heading over a left wing cross from David Worrall before Worrall dragged a low 25 yard shot wide of the left post.

But, with the 31 minutes on the clock, the Shrimpers wasted a golden chance to score when Ben Coker’s left wing cross deflected into the path of Pigott.

However, after neatly controlling the ball, the on loan Charlton Athletic striker could only slam an eight yard shot against the crossbar when he should have scored.

Blues continued to attack with Mooney curling an effort straight at Garratt but, after surviving the scares, Crewe hit back and came close to opening the scoring themselves in the 41st minute when a curling 30 yard free-kick from Kingsley smacked against the top of the crossbar.

However, Southend were back on top at the start of the second half and took the lead in the 47th minute, with Pigott on target for the first time this season.

The striker reacted sharply inside the penalty area after excellent work from Ryan Leonard down the right flank and blasted a rising, 10 yard shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

But, within two minutes, Crewe hit back to equalise as Marcus Haber’s long ball forward enabled Bradden Inman to race in between Luke Prosser and Cian Bolger before he netted with a powerful low shot which flew under the body of Blues goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

Southend were not to be deterred though and, as a crazy period of the game continued, Phil Brown’s side went back in front just four minutes later, with Pigott again on target.

The striker was in the right place at the right time after Worrall’s cross-shot from the right hand side of the penalty area had been deflected onto the crossbar by George Ray.

And, despite looking as though he might be in an opposite position, Pigott’s firm, eight yard header which nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the net was allowed to stand.

Crewe replied by enjoying their best period of the game but, with 73 minutes on the clock, Southend almost extended their lead when a right wing cross from Leonard skimmed against the crossbar.

Sixty seconds later, the Shrimpers made their first substitution of the evening with Noel Hunt coming on to replace Mooney.

A second change followed in the 82nd minute with Myles Weston coming on for Pigott but Crewe still continued to pose a threat with substitute Chris Atkinson having a deflected 20 yard shot kept out by Bentley.

In reply and, with 86 minutes on the clock, the Shrimpers made their final change with Will Atkinson coming on for Worrall and the visitors comfortably saw out the closing stages to continue their recent resurgence.