Southend 2 Sheffield United 4: Wilder delighted by "toughest win" as Blades march on at top

Ethan Ebanks-Landell headed the Blades into an early lead after just two minutes but Simon Cox levelled for the Shrimpers, who were on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run, in the 19th minute with his fourth goal in as many games.

Defender Jack O'Connell put United back in front four minutes before the break when he converted a free-kick from Mark Duffy and Caolan Lavery slotted in a third before Kieron Freeman wrapped things up.

Substitute Jermaine McGlashan netted a late second for the Shrimpers with two minutes left.

"This was by far the toughest of the wins and it's a big result for us," said Wilder.

"I know how difficult it is to win at Southend because I don't think I've ever got a result here personally.

"Our performance in the second half took it to a different level and we've shown a lot of good attributes.

"We got pegged back by their equaliser when we should have been 2-0 up after five minutes but then we really took the game away from them

"They are a dangerous side and they battered us at our place so this is a good result but we won't be getting carried away about it."

League One round up

Scunthorpe moved above Bolton, who were not in action, into second place with a 3-2 home win over struggling Bury.

On-loan Norwich defender Harry Toffolo put the Iron ahead in the eighth minute, with Stephen Dawson adding a second in the 19th minute with his first goal of the season.

Bury reduced the deficit five minutes before half-time through striker George Miller but Josh Morris soon restored the home side's two-goal advantage on 43 minutes when his free-kick curled into the net.

Shakers substitute Kelvin Etuhu made it 3-2 on 67 minutes but the home side closed out victory to go two points ahead of Bolton, though they remain four behind the leaders.

Ellis Harrison plundered a hat-trick in the space of seven first-half minutes and finished with four goals as Bristol Rovers swept Northampton aside 5-0 at The Memorial Stadium.

The Pirates took the lead in the seventh minute through Billy Bodin.

Harrison, who had failed to find the net in the last 14 games, put Rovers 2-0 ahead in the 17th minute from close range and headed in his second three minutes later before grabbing a third in the 24th minute to leave the Cobblers shell-shocked.

Harrison made it 5-0 on 54 minutes with another close-range strike.

Bradford are up to fourth after beating struggling Chesterfield at the Coral Windows Stadium.

Midfielder Mark Marshall fired the hosts in front on 22 minutes and Jordy Hiwula made it 2-0 just before half-time.

Shrewsbury took advantage of other results to move out of the bottom four on goal difference after grabbing a 1-1 draw at Swindon, where both sides finished with 10 men.

The home side went ahead on 55 minutes through a penalty from John Goddard after Aristote Nsiala, who was making his debut following a switch from Hartlepool, had been shown a red card for a professional foul on striker Luke Norris.

However, the numbers were evened up on 70 minutes after Swindon defender James Brophy collected two quick cautions, and Mat Sadler headed an equaliser with 10 minutes left.