Southampton manager George Burley claims Derby will be the favourites in their Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final after his side booked a nerve-jangling meeting with his old club.

Kenwyne Jones and Leon Best both scored twice to secure Saints' place in the top six after the hosts survived an early scare to emphatically beat relegated Southend 4-1 at St Mary's.

Burley is no stranger to the play-offs after taking Ipswich into the end-of-season showdown four times and Derby once, and, having led the Tractor Boys to victory at the old Wembley, he is itching to earn a trip to the new stadium.

"Derby finished above us in third so they have to be favourites," said Burley.

"But we've got a good blend of youth and experience and we've won our last three games so we're in a good run of form and we want to carry that on.

"You need a few breaks, a few decisions to go for you and it's in the lap of the gods really.

"I've got a mixed record. It's nice to get to Wembley and we were the last team to win at the old one, so it would be nice to be the first at the new one. Maybe that's an omen."

Shrimpers centre-half Adam Barrett hit an exquisite volley in the 13th minute to stun Saints, who needed a win to be sure of a shot at a lucrative return to the Premiership after a two-year absence.

But Jones nodded Southampton level after 28 minutes before Best tapped home the simplest strike of his fledgling career after Peter Clarke fluffed a clearance.

Best was on target again with 10 minutes remaining to settle the nerves from Rudi Skacel's cross, before Jones rounded off the victory with his 16th goal of the season, ramming home the loose ball after Best had been brought down by Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan.

Worryingly for Burley, though, skipper Claus Lundekvam was carried off with a suspected broken ankle in first-half stoppage time.

"It's a blow, he's our captain and our leader," added Burley.

"He went to hospital and we don't know yet if it's broken but he was in a lot of pain and it doesn't look good. I would think we can rule him out."

An emotional St Mary's held a minute's applause prior to kick-off for Alan Ball as Saints staged their first home game since the death of their legendary former player and manager.

Southend were without arguably their three key players in Freddy Eastwood, Mark Gower and captain Kevin Maher, and appeared unlikely to spoil the party.

But they put in a storming opening 20 minutes before capitulating to the despair of assistant boss Paul Brush.

"We've been like that all season," said Brush. "We score a good goal and then we let in some ordinary goals. And the players look deflated when they let those type of goals in.

"Southampton have every chance. I think they are as good as any team in this division. they've got a bit of everything; pace, strength, experience, and when you see the quality on the bench you have to be envious.

"They've also got a good stadium with a good surface to play football on - and it will be like that at Wembley."