The Shrimpers leading scorer Lee Barnard grabbed the winner from the penalty spot deep into stoppage-time as the game looked to be heading for a draw.

Referee Darren Deadman, who booked eight players, awarded the spot-kick after the Shrimpers striker had his shirt pulled by Dean Lewington as a free-kick was delivered into the area.

Dons went in front in the 14th minute when Luke Chadwick charged forward and teed up Sam Baldock, who fired home a low shot from 14 yards.

Franck Moussa had earlier forced a fine one-handed save from Willy Gueret and the Dons keeper pulled off another stop to repel Jean-Francois Christophe's header in the 22nd minute.

Southend did pull level two minutes later when Aaron Wilbraham inadvertently headed a Johnny Herd free-kick into his own net.