TEN-MAN Shrewsbury refused to have their promotion bid derailed by Southend after Jermain Grandison scored a late winner.
Grandison popped up to beat the league leaders after Marvin Morgan saw red to close the gap on the top spot to just three points as other results also went their way.
James Collins had given Town the lead from the penalty spot before Ryan Hall levelled, and Graham Taylor was delighted with the result after talking up his proud team.
"There was tension, but without doubt there was prode in the performance," he said.
"We worked hard for the result and we played well.
"The crowd really got behind uswhen we were reduced to ten men and we responded by playing some really good stuff.
"The big thing for me now is to make sure it isn't a case of after the Lord Mayor's show.
"It was a great performance and a big three points but we need to get people grounded and make sure we do well again next week."
Grandison climbed to head home a corner in the dying minutes to send Shrewsbury fans into raptures, but they will have to fair without Shane Candsel;l-Sherriff in their next game after he suffered concussion and a dislocated shoulder during the match.