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FA Cup third round

Southend 1-3 Tranmere

Tranmere earned a deserved triumph over Third Division opponents Southend to book a home tie against Leeds' conquerors Cardiff in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

They had to wait until the 63 minutes before breaking the deadlock, Wayne Allison finding the target with a close-range header.

In the end I have to admit that quality was the decisive factor in Tranmere's victory

Southend boss Rob Newman

Ten minutes later Jason Price stretched Tranmere's lead after being put through by Jason Koumas.

Barrington Belgrave gave Southend some hope with a low drive on 76 minutes but it was not long before the visitors restored their two-goal lead.

Sean Flynn struck the third with a shot from the edge of the box after he had been set up by Price.

Tranmere boss Dave Watson said: "I told the lads at half-time to be patient and that the goals would come.

"This they did and duly claimed their reward."

Southend manager Rob Newman claimed Tranmere's goals stemmed from a lack of discipline.

But he added: "In the end I have to admit that quality was the decisive factor in Tranmere's victory.

"They've got quality and experienced players and I fully expect them to go on and win promotion this season."

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Southend: Flahavan, Broad (Rawle 84), Cort, Newman (Forbes 66), Whelan, Searle, Thurgood, Maher, Hutchings (Richards 89), Bramble, Belgrave. Subs not used: Gay, Johnson.

Booked: Maher.

Tranmere: Achterberg, Yates, Roberts, Allen, Hill, Koumas, Mellon, Henry, Flynn (Barlow 87), Price, Allison. Subs not used: Parkinson, Murphy, Rideout, Sharps.

Booked: Flynn.

Att: 8,164

Referee: P Armstrong (Thatcham)