TOM Craddock scored a brace to ensure Oxford United 's strong start to the season continued as ten-man Southend United were swept aside last night.

The striker came off the bench to net twice in the second half, setting up a result which ended United's six-game losing streak against the Shrimpers.

Better finishing would have seen a more emphatic victory, with Southend were ripped apart as they played more than an hour with ten men following Michael Timlin's brainless dismissal.

The hosts had to wait until late on to make sure of the points, but the result was thoroughly deserved.

The teams came into the game with contrasting early-season form.

Successes against Bournemouth and Bristol Rovers gave the hosts a spring in their step and they took control in the opening exchanges.

Chris Wilder 's side looked to play at a high tempo, causing Southend's defence problems.

Jake Forster-Caskey fired wide with two free kicks in the opening seven minutes to increase the volume at the Kassam Stadium .

All the good work was almost undone on 22 minutes, when a loose back pass from Jake Wright allowed Gavin Tomlin to block Ryan Clarke's clearance. Fortunately for the U's skipper the ball ricocheted over the crossbar.

The game lurched back towards United before the half hour mark, when Michael Timlin was sent off.

The midfielder had already gone in the book for a late tackle on Damian Batt, but six minutes later a foolish trip on Forster-Caskey earned him an early bath.

United spent the remainder of the half trying to unpick the visitors, who packed ten men behind the ball.

Twice the surging runs of Damian Batt laid on chances. Deane Smalley blasted the first wide, while Cameron Belford brilliantly kept out Sean Rigg's header on the stroke of half-time.

Wilder showed his intent by bringing on Craddock for Lee Cox at the break and it took the substitute just nine minutes to open the scoring.

Alfie Potter, lively again, got in behind the back four and crossed for Craddock to clip a finish into the net from six yards.

United looked poised to run riot. Within six minutes of the goal Smalley, Rigg, Craddock and Potter all had chances to make it 2-0.

Rigg came closest, but again Belford excelled to turn the winger's low shot round the post.

Southend were forced to make changes as they attempted to find an equaliser, but they just gave the U's more space to attack.

It became clear a second goal would settle the game and Potter came agonisingly close on 75 minutes.

The winger beat his marker to move in on goal, but saw his shot strike the post.

As the chances came and went the atmosphere at the Kassam became slightly tense. Despite Southend's almost total lack of goal threat the one goal lead was nonetheless vulnerable.

The worries were put to bed three minutes from time when Craddock dribbled into the box and fired low past Belford for his second of the night.

It was the least the home side deserved and sealed a well earned victory.