BILEL Mohsni proved to be Crewe's nemesis for the second time this season as he grabbed a second-half winner to decide a tight game at Roots Hall.

The French striker scored twice at Gresty Road last October and he clinched a double for The Shrimpers over the Railwaymen when he pounced after Steve Phillips failed to hold Ryan Hall's free kick.

Phillips then blotted his copybook as he became embroiled in a row with skipper Dave Artell which saw him booked as Crewe's frustrations showed.

But they had defended well for most of the game after setting up with Harry Davis playing in front of the back four in the first-half.

They restricted Southend to few chances with dangerman Liam Dickinson going closest to breaking the deadlock when his shot on the turn was cleared off the line by Luke Murphy.

Murphy was the Alex's best bet in front of goal as he drove into shooting range on several occasions. When the midfielder unleashed on the half-hour mark home keeper Glenn Morris failed to hold and nearly offered Shaun Miller and then Greg Pearson follow-up opportunities.

But the game's decisive moment arrived in the 73rd minute after Carl Martin was harshly adjudged to have tripped Michael Timlin on the edge of the D.

Hall's fierce delivery sped through the wall and with Phillips only able to parry, Mohsni swept up the rebound.

Crewe suffered a further blow when loan defender James Tunnicliffe limped off with a shoulder injury.

Southend:

Morris, Clohessy, Gilbert, Barker, Phillips, Timlin, Ferdinand

(Benyon, 65), Kalala, Mohsni, David Martin ( Hall, 63), Dickinson.

Subs:

Grant, Harris, Baldwin

Crewe:

Phillips, Tootle, Carl Martin, Tunnicliffe ( Bell, 78), Artell,

Davis, Westwood, Murphy, Powell, Miller (Max Clayton, 81), Pearson

Subs:

Shelley, Mellor, Alan Martin

Attendance:

5,645