Corr and Coulthirst down Blues
In a game of few clear-cut chances for either side, Corr was quickest to react to convert a corner.
Half-chances for Miles Storey and Danny Hollands were as close as the Blues went to netting at the other end.
Jack Whatmough returned from international duty to replace Johnny Ertl in the centre of defence, while Ryan Taylor made way for Storey in attack.
Andy Awford made two changes from the side beaten at Burton six days earlier.
The hosts did score again late in the game, though, with substitute Shaquile Coulthirst launching a quick counter-attack and coolly finishing.
Hollands then forced Shrimpers keeper Daniel Bentley into action after the hosts had failed to properly deal with Storey’s ball into the box.
Pompey looked to get forward in the opening stages and Luke Prosser just about managed to clear Ricky Holmes’ dangerous cross away from danger.
There were also unsuccessful long-range efforts from Kevan Hurst and Myles Weston, with the former firing over and the latter’s curling shot comfortably claimed by Jones.
Southend created a decent opening of their own on nine minutes and Paul Jones made a smart stop to keep out Jerome Williams’ bullet header before the left-back sent the loose ball narrowly over.
But, in truth, it was a game desperately short of quality, with both sides struggling to find any attacking fluency.
Weston got clear down the left and sent in a dangerous cross, but Jack Payne was unable to guide it on target.
Southend did have a decent opportunity on 35 minutes after breaking quickly from a Pompey corner.
Southend 0 Pompey 0 Half Time:
The only other noteworthy moments before the break were a couple of late challenges by James Dunne and Gary Deegan that saw the pair receive bookings.
Pompey did carve out an opening at the other end, with Hollands volleying narrowly over following good build-up from Jed Wallace and Craig Westcarr.
But it was still the Shrimpers looking more threatening and Alex Wynter did well to head behind Hurst’s fine cross.
Awford soon made his first substitution, with Shorey making way for Andy Barcham out wide.
The hosts took the lead from the resulting corner, however, as Hurst’s corner fell kindly for Corr to head home.
But Southend had also stepped up a few gears and Jones had to fumble behind Weston’s cross on 55 minutes.
The keeper then also kept out Hollands’ long-range effort as Pompey tried to liven things up following an uninspiring first half.
Storey looked bright immediately after the restart, jinking past several challenges before being denied by Bentley.
Southend then made a mess of a long punt forward on 77 minutes, but Barcham could not quite take advantage.
It was Agyemang who went closest to rescuing a point, but his header was blocked on the line as Pompey fell short.
Dan Butler and Patrick Agyemang entered the fray as the Blues tried to salvage something from the match.
Bentley; White (c), Thompson, Prosser, Williams; Deegan, Leonard; Hurst (Worrall 73), Payne (Atkinson 80), Weston (Coulthirst 87); Corr Southend (4-2-3-1):
It was a fine individual effort from Coulthirst, who beat a couple of challenges before firing into the bottom corner.
Instead Southend made sure of victory when Southend broke quickly from a Blues corner.
Corr 56, Coulthirst 90 Goals:
Smith, Ibenfeldt, Clifford, Barnard Subs not used:
Deegan, Payne Booked:
Jones; Wynter, Robinson, Whatmough, Shorey (c) (Butler 72); Wallace (Agyemang 78), Dunne, Hollands; Storey (Barcham 60), Holmes; Westcarr Pompey (4-3-2-1):
Poke, Devera, Ertl, Close Subs not used:
Dunne, Shorey, Wallace, Robinson Booked: 7,023 (1,518 Pompey fans)Attendance:
Graham Scott Referee: