AN early Blair Sturrock trick treated Southend United to a return to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over high-flying Rotherham United this afternoon.

On the weekend of Halloween, Sturrock ghosted in at the near post to score from close range at Roots Hall.

And the Scottish striker’s effort, which came in just the fifth minute of the match, was enough to end a run of three successive defeats for Blues.

Josh Simpson was the creator of the only goal of the game as he charged down the right-hand side of the pitch before swapping passes with Sean Clohessy and delivering a fine cross which was chested home at the near post by Sturrock via the inside of the left post.

It was the 29-year-old’s third goal of the season and was perhaps slightly fortuitous as the ball seemed to bounce in from just below his neck.

In reply, Millers winger Nick Law soon sent a 20-yard free-kick over the crossbar and Southend momentarily began to look a little shaky at the back as a few passes went astray.

Rotherham failed to take advantage though and Blues hit back with Sturrock sending a low, left-footed shot wide of the right post from the edge of the penalty area in the 29th minute.

Moments later, Michael Timlin sent Anthony Grant charging through on goal but, under pressure from several defenders, the former Chelsea trainee could only shoot wide of the left post.

A relieved Rotherham replied when Law sped past Peter Gilbert down the right flank and teed up Kevin Ellison who warmed the hands of Blues goalkeeper Glenn Morris with a well struck half-volley.

Having survived the scare, Southend then almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Sturrock saw another fortuitous effort bounce back off the crossbar before his strike partner Barry Corr scuffed the resulting rebound wide of the left post on the volley from six yards.

At the start of the second period, Corr was involved again as he bravely headed a left-wing cross from Ryan Hall wide of the target and the returning Bilel Mohsni then also nodded past the left post after being set up by Gilbert.

Corr then headed a free-kick from Hall wide of the same upright and, with Blues continuing to push for a second goal, Hall volleyed a left-wing cross from Grant past the opposite post.

Corr then saw a low effort tipped around the right post by Millers goalkeeper Andy Warrington, but the save was missed by referee Phil Crossley, who awarded a goal-kick.

Southend still looked comfortable as Rotherham struggled to get in to the game, but in the 81st minute Blues were forced in to making their first substitution of the afternoon as Chris Barker limped off with a calf problem and was replaced by Graham Coughlan at the heart of the defence.

Two more attacking alterations soon followed with Louie Soares and Harry Crawford both entering the action, but they saw little of the ball as Blues held on to bag a morale-boosting three points.