TWO goals inside the opening 20 minutes secured Southend United a 2-0 win against Stevenage at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Striker Myles Weston and defender Ben Coker both worked their way on to the score-sheet in the opening exchanges to ensure all three points for the Shrimpers.

And that made it two wins from two in the league for Phil Brown’s side.

Southend signalled their intentions from the start and, with two minutes on the clock, Shaq Coulthirst cut in off the left flank and fired a low 20 yard shot inches wide of the left post.

But Blues did not have to wait long to grab the game’s opening goal as they went in front just seven minutes late when Barry Corr headed a long Daniel Bentley kick down in to the path of Weston.

The summer signing then composed himself and guided a low, left footed shot in to the bottom left hand corner of the net from 12 yards.

Things were soon to get even better for the Shrimpers as they doubled their lead in the 20th minute of the match, with Coker on target.

The left-back swapped passes with Corr on the edge of the penalty before rolling a cool, right footed shot in to the bottom right hand corner of the South Stand net.

Stevenage soon hit back and almost got back in to the game when Charlie Lee’s long throw dropped down to Adam Marriott just eight yards from goal but his well struck shot was superbly saved by Daniel Bentley.

The Blues goalkeeper was then forced in to another excellent save on the stroke of half time when former Billericay Town winger Chris Whelpdale sneaked in behind Coker but saw his powerful effort impressively blocked by Bentley.

After the break Bentley’s opposite number, Sam Beasant, did well to push a 12 yard shot from Corr to safety and, with 67 minutes on the clock, the visiting keeper denied the Irishman again low down to his left hand side.

After the near misses Blues brought on David Worrall and Lee Barnard in quick succession.

And the new faces helped the Shrimpers maintain their 2-0 lead.