Southend United have leapfrogged Chesterfield in the League Two table by thrashing the Spireites at Roots Hall.
Kevan Hurst's 10th goal of the season fired the hosts in front on 28 minutes, before Ryan Leonard and Barry Corr found the net in the second half.
Southend's opener was a fine team move. A super pass from on-loan Burnley right-back Luke O'Neill found Anthony Straker, who teed up Hurst to tap home.
The first half ended on a sour note for the Essex outfit as O'Neill's debut ended prematurely when he limped off the field with a leg injury.
However, the home fans were soon celebrating again when Leonard chipped Chesterfield goalkeeper Tommy Lee on 59 minutes at the end of a rapid counter-attack.
It was 3-0 moments later thanks to another looping effort - this time from Corr.
Chesterfield were awarded a penalty with 21 minutes left on the clock following a foul by Hurst on Gary Roberts. Marc Richards stepped up looking to net his eighth goal of the season, but he was denied by a brilliant save from Daniel Bentley.
The result leaves Southend and Chesterfield fourth and fifth respectively in the table.
Southend are now unbeaten in seven games in all competitions.
Robert Summerscales
