Barnsley progress in FA Cup
Barnsley's Jamal Campbell-Ryce put sentiment to one side as he returned to Southend to knock his former club out of the FA Cup with the only goal in their fourth round tie.
The winger, who left Roots Hall last summer in a £175,000 deal, created a goal out of nothing in the 22nd minute.
With his back to goal on the left, he turned Lewis Hunt and unleashed a rising shot from just outside the box that beat Darryl Flahavan at his far post.
"It was an emotional return for me, but we came to get a job done and that's the main thing," said the Jamaica international.
"I didn't think I would score and get the winner with a screamer like that, but as soon as I hit it I thought it might test Darryl."
Barnsley boss Simon Davey was pleased for the 24-year-old midfielder.
"I said to Jamal before the game make sure it is a happy return, make it happen for yourself and he has more than done that with a great goal," said Davey.
But Southend were left wondering how they did not get something out of the game after forcing a string of good save out of Tykes keeper Heinz Muller.
The German saved a 30-yard Simon Francis effort in the first half but then weathered a storm after the break as Southend dominated.
Muller parried Tommy Black's snap-shot before turning over another effort from the makeshift striker and saving debutant forward Lee Barnard's header from the resulting corner.
Tykes captain Brian Howard came closest to doubling Barnsley's lead with a shot which was just over from 25 yards.
The win was Barnsley's first away from Oakwell since they beat Southampton on September 22 and gave them their first appearance in the fifth round of the FA Cup since 1999.
"We deserved it because we did very well in the first half and created a few chance," added Davey.
"Fair play to Southend, they put us under some pressure but I didn't think they were going to score.
"But the important thing is we are in the next round because it has been a long time since we were in the fifth round.
"Now we want a big club, we want it at home in front a big crowd."
Southend manager Steve Tilson thought his side deserved something from the game based on their second half performance.
"We had a right go in the second half but the ball just did not drop for us and the keeper has made a couple of decent saves," he said.
"Flavs (Darryl Flahavan) has not had a save to make apart from the goal, which was a fantastic strike from Jamal.
"We deserved to get something out of the game but players always come back to haunt you, though there was not much Flavs could do about it."
