Cheltenham gained revenge for their opening day defeat 12 months ago as they beat 10-man Southend 2-0. Last August Mark Gower's brace was enough to hand the Shrimpers victory over the Robins. But at a boiling hot Roots Hall John Melligan and Kayode Odejayi exorcised the ghosts with first half goals. A cagey opening period produced little action apart from a long shot from Gower that Shane Higgs saved and a Martin Devaney attempt that was blocked by Blues' centre-back Andy Edwards. But it was midfielder Melligan who broke the deadlock after 17 minutes. Grant McCann's free kick was prodded on by Graham Fyfe to Melligan who turned defender Spencer Prior and scored off the inside of the right upright. The goal buoyed the visitors and they continued to have the upper hand with Melligan and Odejayi making good runs that went unrewarded. It was hardly a surprise when they doubled their advantage after a fine Martin Devaney sprint left Nicky Nicolau in his wake and allowed a cross from the right that missed everyone apart from Odejayi who stabbed it home with his left foot after 28 minutes. Southend had possessed little attacking threat apart from Gower who saw shots saved by Higgs in the 32nd and 37th minutes. Cheltenham were happy to sit back in the second half and force Southend to expend their energy attacking. But they still made little impression on a rearguard that saw the central partnership of Shane Duff and John Brough rock solid. Chances were at a premium as the Robins shut up shop. The best chance fell to striker Wayne Gray who fired weakly at Higgs in the 70th minute before Gower's free-kick cannoned into the wall seven minutes later. The Blues frustrations boiled over in the 89th minute when substitute winger Tes Bramble was sent off for a two-footed challenge on defender Jamie Victory.