Mark Gower's freak goal and Peter Clarke's close-range strike handed Southend a Coca-Cola Championship survival lifeline with three precious points at Ipswich.

Gower's hopeful cross from the left wing bounced through a crowd of players and past bemused goalkeeper Lewis Price, who was rooted to the spot, to put the Shrimpers ahead in the 35th minute.

They doubled their advantage three minutes before half-time when Clarke grabbed his first goal for the club.

Steve Tilson's side, who just two years ago were scrapping for a play-off place in League Two, remain in the drop zone but just a point from safety.

And a hard-earned away win to begin a week in which they host free-falling Burnley and rock-bottom Leeds will give the Essex boys genuine grounds for optimism of pulling off the great escape.

Ipswich at times played the neater football and were denied by some fine saves from Darryl Flahavan after the interval, but Southend were more incisive.

Top-scorer Freddy Eastwood squandered an early chance for the visitors with a first-time shot screwed wastefully wide before Lee Bradbury forced a save from Price.

Town's first real opportunity came in the 17th minute when Owen Garvan crossed for Alan Lee to tee up Francis Jeffers, but the on-loan Blackburn striker swung his right boot and completely missed the ball.

Jeffers' afternoon came to a premature end soon after when he suffered a knee injury and had to be substituted.

Ipswich had strong claims for a penalty when Lee turned Clarke inside the area and tumbled over the defender's trailing leg, but referee Martin Atkinson was not impressed.

Town were stunned moments later when Gower's curling cross was dummied by Efe Sodje and completely fooled Price to give Southend the lead.

And the Shrimpers doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Clarke arrived at the far post to volley in Kevin Maher's free-kick.

Ipswich came out like a train after the break and should have scored when a weak Lewis Hunt clearance fell to Garvan, but the youngster's shot cannoned back off Flahavan's left-hand post.

Sylvain Legwinski sent a shot narrowly over before Garvan expertly chested down another half-clearance and hit a dipping volley which Flahavan superbly tipped away.

Legwinski then headed over, Gary Roberts put a good chance inches wide and Flahavan pulled off another fine block to deny young substitute Danny Haynes.

Having survived the onslaught, Southend regrouped and Gower's shot was deflected wide before Sodje had the ball in the net, only to be denied by the whistle for a push.

Flahavan also denied sub George O'Callaghan from close range, Lee earned a late booking after diverting the ball past Flahavan and into the net with his hand and Haynes' glancing volley shaved a post late on as the Shrimpers held out.

Teams

Ipswich Price, Wright, De Vos, Bruce, Harding, Peters,Legwinski (O'Callaghan 68), Garvan, Roberts (Clarke 78),Jeffers (Haynes 27), Lee.

Subs Not Used: Supple, Wilnis.

Sent Off: Lee (78).

Booked: Lee, Harding, Bruce, Clarke.

Southend Flahavan, Hunt, Sodje, Clarke, Francis,Campbell-Ryce, Maher, McCormack, Gower (Hammell 83),Eastwood (Moussa 90), Bradbury (Harrold 81).

Subs Not Used: Collis, Prior.

Booked: Francis, McCormack.

Goals: Gower 35, Clarke 42.

Att: 24,051

Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).