Shaun Goater continued his late-season scoring run, nailing a third goal in four games as Southend maintained their promotion chase on Saturday.

The Bermudian headed home in the 74th minute to tie the scores at 3-3 in a dramatic clash with Chesterfield before strike partner Freddy Eastwood completed his hat-trick with a superb 25-yard free kick to give the Shrimpers the 4-3 win which kept them top of League One.

Steve Tilson's men twice fought back from behind in a game featuring bloody injuries, a broken linesman's flags and a Chesterfield sending off as more than 4,500 fans were thoroughly entertained at Saltergate.

Southend were 3-2 behind against ten men when Goater popped up from a corner to nod home after an Eastwood flick-on to level the scores before Eastwood slammed home a free kick after Goater had been substituted for Lee Bradbury.

The Shrimpers have lost only once in the past 15 games to stay one point clear at the top of the table with 12 games left while Goater has netted three times in three weeks after a three month barren spell. The Bermudian now has nine for the season.

"It was a great result because they are a good side and it will stand us in good stead," said manager Tilson afterwards.

"At 2-1 up we should have killed the game off but poor defending cost us ? it was a rollercoaster second half. We have some really tough games coming up but hopefully we can keep on winning."