Southend moved up to fourth in League One after delivering an assured performance in a 1-0 win at home to Walsall.

Lee Barnard may have come in as a late replacement to the starting XI when Hal Robson-Kanu was injured in the warm-up, but he went on to score the only goal of the game two minutes into the second half

In truth, the final scoreline failed to reveal the real extent of the Blues' dominance, as they have now created a five point buffer to hold a strong position in the play-offs.

Southend controlled the first half, looked comfortable in possession and were constantly attempting to find the space needed in attack.

The Blues continually had half chances falling in their favour, as James Walker raced on to a lofted pass from Nicky Bailey, but with the target in sight, he screwed his shot wide of the left-hand post.

Peter Clarke saw a goalbound header deflect off Richard Taundry and behind the goal while Adam Barnett took his defensive partners lead in pushing forward, but was off-target when connecting with Tommy Black's cross inside the box.

Yet for all their worth, it wasn't until the end of the opening 45 minutes when the Blues managed their first shot on target with Mark Gower arrowing a shot 20 yards out that cannoned off the crossbar.

Walker tried the same trick from a similar distance, but with his effort taking a slight deflection it bounced on to the roof of the net.

Walsall offered little threat throughout the entire match against a sternly marshalled Southend backline and the home side finally got their reward just two minutes after the interval.

Charlie Mulgrew exchanged passes with Mark Gower and raced down the left flank before supplying a low cross, which saw Barnard battle with Anthony Gerrard for the ball and appear to get the vital touch to turn it into the bottom corner of the net.

Southend refused to rest on their laurels though and continued to pepper the opposition goal with Simon Francis trying to repeat his strike rate at Swindon with a long range shot that was tipped over the top by goalkeeper Clayton Ince.

Alan McCormack brilliantly won possession back in midfield to allow himself to be released on goal by Barnard, but with Ince standing tall, he could only rifle the ball straight at the 'keeper.

Southend continued to look positive, but while a second goal never arrived, they duly saw the match out with ease to claim a deserved three points, as the league table continues to make for happy viewing.

Southend: Flahavan, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Mulgrew, Black (Grant 87), McCormack, Bailey, Gower (Moussa 84), Barnard (Scannell 89), Walker.

Walsall: Ince, Weston, Gerrard, Roper, Mooney, Holmes (McDermott 60), Nicholls (Moore 46), Bradley, Deeney (N'Dour 46), Boertien, Taundry.