Experienced marksman Dougie Freedman ended Southend United’s recent poor run with the only goal of the game as Bristol Rovers turned in a disappointing performance at Roots Hall.

Rickie Lambert had scored four goals in a thumping win over the Shrimpers earlier in the season.

But the Pirates were barely able to create a chance of note against the Essex club this time and were fortunate not to suffer a heavier defeat.

Striker Theo Robinson gave Rovers some anxious moments over the opening period.

He forced a 12th-minute smothering save from Steve Phillips after former Gas skipper Adam Barrett surged into the visitors’ box.

Then Craig Hinton had to make a timely tackle to dispossess the marksman as he threatened to get on the end of a pass from Franck Moussa.

Rovers’ biggest escape came three minutes before the break when Robinson’s shot on the turn from the edge of the box flashed a yard wide of Phillips’ right-hand post.

Rovers made one change to the side that had started the midweek win over Cheltenham, Craig Disley returning to midfield in place of Chris Lines.

But the visitors failed to seriously threaten, despite a good early cross from Disley which flew across an empty goal.

Southend continued to have the better of things after the break and took the lead after 57 minutes when loan signing Dorian Dervite fed Freedman, and the 34-year-old clipped the ball over Phillips before running on to net with an acrobatic close-range diving header.

The crowd were baying for Phillips’ dismissal shortly afterwards when he was caught way out of his area and handled a Freedman shot, but referee Gavin Ward brandished a yellow card instead.

Darryl Duffy came off the bench and again had a chance to find the net with five minutes left, but he shot against keeper Steve Mildenhall from 16 yards.

Then Phillips had to tip a Moussa shot over the top in the dying moments to prevent the home side extending their lead.