![Leon Best [right] and Kenwyne Jones celebrate](http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42891000/jpg/_42891745_leonbest203.jpg)
Southampton hit three second-half goals to beat Southend and secure their place in the last Championship play-off spot.
Shrimpers centre-half Adam Barrett hit an exquisite volley in the 13th minute to stun Saints but Kenwyne Jones nodded the home side level before half-time.
Leon Best prodded home just after the break and then settled the nerves with the third 10 minutes from time.
Jones added his 16th goal of the season but the win was marred by a suspected broken leg to skipper Claus Lundekvam.
The St Mary's crowd held a minute's applause prior to kick-off for Alan Ball as the Saints staged their first home match since the death of their former player and manager.
Southampton's hopes of staying in sixth place were dealt an early blow when Barrett fired home a 20-yard volley past Bartosz Bialkowski.
George Burley's side looked nervous and it needed the pace and power of Gareth Bale to unlock the visitors' defence.
The left-back swung in a cross from the left and Jones rose to head past Darryl Flahavan from close range.
Flahavan then tipped a Jones drive onto the bar before Lundekvam was carried off before half-time after falling awkwardly.
Best put the Saints ahead with a tap-in following a defensive mix-up as Southend lost their concentration.
Saints pressed hard to put the game beyond doubt and two goals in a minute did just that.
Best latched onto substitute Rudi Skacel's cross and buried the ball past Flahavan and moments later the striker broke clear again.
He was brought down by Flahavan, but Jones rifled home the loose ball.
Southampton: Bialkowski, Ostlund, Baird, Lundekvam (Viafara 45), Bale, Belmadi (Skacel 69), Pele, Guthrie, Surman, Jones (Rasiak 85), Best.
Subs Not Used: Davis, Wright-Phillips.
Goals: Jones 29, Best 48, 80, Jones 81.
Southend: Flahavan, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Hammell, Hooper (Harrold 68), McCormack, Moussa, Campbell-Ryce, Foran, Bradbury.
Subs Not Used: Collis, Hunt, Prior, Ademeno.
Booked: McCormack, Bradbury.
Goals: Barrett 13.
Att: 32,008.
Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~57~RS~)