Torquay defender Steve Woods volleyed in from Alex Russell's third-minute corner to put United ahead.

David Graham extended the lead with his 23rd goal of the season by stooping to head in a Jo Kuffour cross.

Southend hit back in the 17th minute when Lawrie Dudfield struck after Tes Bramble's effort came off the chest of goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden.

Torquay were forced to soak up enormous pressure but they dealt adequately with everything Southend could throw at them to finally clinch their first automatic promotion for 38 years.

The Gulls finished in third place after Huddersfield could only draw against 10-man Cheltenham at Whaddon Road.

Southend: Flahavan, Jupp, Cort, Hunt, Nicolau, Constantine, Maher, Bentley, Wilson, Bramble, Dudfield. Subs: Stuart, Broughton, Corbett, Jenkins, Husbands.

Torquay: Van Heusden, Hazell, Woods, Taylor, McGlinchey, Rosenior, Hockley, Russell, Hill, Graham, Kuffour. Subs: Fowler, Gritton, Woozley, Canoville, Bedeau.

Referee: A Leake

		P	GD	PTS
1	Rochdale	28	32	56
2	Bournemouth	27	3	49
3	Bury	27	3	48
4	Rotherham	24	13	45
5	Notts County	24	31	43
6	Shrewsbury	28	5	42
7	Chesterfield	27	4	42
8	Aldershot	26	10	41
9	Dag & Red	26	5	40
10	Accrington Stanley	24	4	39
11	Morecambe	27	5	38
12	Port Vale	26	5	37
13	Northampton	28	1	37
14	Burton Albion	27	0	37
15	Crewe	27	-1	34
16	Bradford	26	-5	33
17	Macclesfield	25	-7	29
18	Barnet	27	-9	29
19	Lincoln City	25	-13	28
20	Torquay	27	-4	26
21	Hereford	25	-9	26
22	Cheltenham	26	-14	25
23	Grimsby	27	-21	20
24	Darlington	24	-38	11