SOUTHEND boosted their League One survival hopes last night with a 3-0 win over 10-man Walsall.

Franck Moussa scored twice and Scott Spencer also got on the scoresheet while the visitors had Clayton McDonald sent off after 39 minutes for violent conduct.

Southend are now just a point from safety and two adrift of 19th-placed Hartlepool, who went down 3-2 at Southampton.

The visitors took the lead through Andy Monkhouse but Lee Barnard, Richie Lambert and Papa Waigo turned the match around at St Mary’s.

Brentford squandered a 2-0 lead at Colchester and had to settle for a point after a thrilling 3-3 draw.

David Hunt and Leon Legge put the visitors in command but Hunt then scored an own goal and Anthony Wordsworth equalised on the stroke of half-time. Charlie McDonald (57) put Brentford back in front but David Prutton (76) ensured the spoils were shared.