Haven't We Met Before? Southend United

Saturday 21st March 1992
Swindon Town 3-1 Southend Utd Division Two

Back during the 1966-67 campaign, Don Rogers set a post-war record of 32 goals scored in a season. Fast-forward 25 years and Duncan Shearer was on the verge of equalling this feat. Following on from his brace against Tranmere in midweek, Shearer was just one behind on 31 goals.

It took just 14 minutes for the big Scot to strike against a Southend side that had lost its way in recent matches. Glenn Hoddle set the ball in motion with a glorious long pass out of defence. Picking up, Tom Jones was on hand to cross from the right and although Dave Mitchell's header smacked the post, the predatory Shearer was on hand to nod home the rebound. With Scotland manager, Andy Roxburgh, amongst the crowd, what better way to showcase your talent!

Soon after, Paul Sansome denied Mitchell and then stuck out a foot to divert a piledriver from Shearer.
However on the half hour, Southend rocked Swindon with an equaliser. Steve Tilson's incisive through ball split the Town defence and pacy winger, Andy Ansah, was well placed to neatly lift the ball over Fraser Digby. For a while after, the Town looked slightly edgy and were probably the more relieved team when the half-time whistle sounded.

A controversial 57th minute award of a penalty swung the pendulum back in Swindon's favour. A 3-man bundle involving keeper Sansome, centre-half Spencer Prior and Mitchell saw referee Roger Pawley point to the spot. Apparently Prior was adjudged to have tugged back Mitchell in the melee. Regardless, Southend weren't happy.
Sansome did get a hand to Paul Bodin's penalty but there was just too much power on it. 2-1 to the Town.
Swindon made the points safe when Shearer latched onto a long ball from Jones and unselfishly squared to Mitchell to sweep home his 8th goal of the season and secure a 3-1 win.

This game was to be Shearer's last as within days the Swindon fanbase were left seething when it was announced that a bid from Blackburn Rovers for the centre-forward had been accepted.

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