Shaun Goater banged in his fourth goal in seven games as Southend moved nine points clear at the top of League One last night.

The veteran Bermudian?s tenth strike of the season in the 75th minute was the icing on the cake of a 3-0 victory over Scunthorpe at Roots Hall.

Goater laid on Freddy Eastwood?s 18th goal of the season after just seven minutes before his former Manchester City team-mate Lee Bradbury scored from close range for Steve Tilson?s men who, thanks to a defeat by Huddersfield, have created a nine-point cushion at the top.

With 15 minutes left, Goater fired home a low drive from just inside the box to round off the scoring and, due to injuries to team-mates, the veteran went on to complete a rare 90 minutes on the field in this, his final season as a professional.

Goater began the season in style, scoring goals aplenty and becoming an instant favourite with the Shrimpers fans before suffering a three-month goal drought over the New Year.

But the former City talisman is back in the midst of a purple patch and has netted four times since February 4.