Southend United vs AFC Wimbledon. Sky Bet League One.
Roots HallAttendance8,493.
Monday 26 December 2016 18:03, UK
Simon Cox bagged a brace as Southend beat AFC Wimbledon 3-0 at Roots Hall.
Cox scored in each half and was joined on the scoresheet by Will Atkinson as the Shrimpers made it 11 matches in Sky Bet League One without defeat.
The Dons had striker Lyle Taylor sent off midway through the second half and visiting manager Neal Ardley was also ordered from the dug-out for protesting.
But Wimbledon could have taken an early lead had Ted Smith not impressively denied Dominic Poleon when the striker was clean through on goal.
Southend hit back to take the lead in the 10th minute when Cox slammed home from close range after a long throw from Ryan Leonard.
Cox then struck another effort against the crossbar before Atkinson slotted home after great approach play from Marc-Antoine Fortune.
After the break, Smith did well to deny Tom Elliott before Taylor was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Anton Ferdinand in the 72nd minute.
Cox completed the scoring with a brilliant long-range chip six minutes from time.
