Luke Rodgers was the hero for Shrewsbury as they came from behind to claim a deserved 3-2 against Southend.
Southend had taken the lead after nine minutes when Neil Jenkins slotted home from close range following a right wing cross from Steve Broad.
But five minutes before the interval Mark Atkins sent Rodgers racing forward to beat the offside trap and he equalised with a fierce shot from a narrow angle.
Rodgers struck again in the 57th minute with another magnificent finish after shaking off challenges from Kevin Maher and Phil Whelan.
Atkins stretched the visitors lead 13 minutes from time when he headed home an Ian Woan corner but Tes Bramble threw Southend a lifeline when he converted a penalty.
In the final minute visitors' defender Matt Redmile was lucky not to be sent off when he brought down Bramble as the striker raced towards the penalty area.