TEN MAN Southend United dug deep to record a dramatic 2-1 triumph at Shrewsbury Town tonight.

Shrews striker Andy Mangan cancelled out Will Atkinson’s opener for Blues before Southend substitute Michael Timlin was shown a second yellow card in the 65th minute.

But, despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors bounced back and secured all three points when Stephen Hendrie crashed home a Jamar Loza cross 11 minutes from time.

Before the late drama unfolded, the Shrews came close to taking an early lead when Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro’s header from James Wallace’s right wing corner was nodded off the goal-line by Atkinson.

Blues soon hit back with Atkinson’s house-mate Ryan Leonard curling a 20 yard shot straight at Shrews goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler following a bright burst down the left flank.

But, with 11 minutes on the clock, Town again came close to scoring from another Wallace corner which was headed straight at Shrimpers goalkeeper Daniel Bentley by Akpa Akpro.

With the Shrews remaining on top, Ian Black then saw a well struck shot blocked by Bentley at his near post before Wallace sliced an effort wide of the right post when presented with an excellent opportunity in front of goal.

The wasted opportunities came back to haunt the hosts in the 24th minute when Blues broke the deadlock against the run of play with Atkinson on target from long range.

The energetic midfielder latched onto a loose ball after Jack Payne had been dispossessed and unleashed an instinctive effort which deceived Leutwiler and flew into the back of the net.

But the Shrews were soon back on top and wasted an immediate chance to equalise when Zak Whitbread headed straight at Bentley from six yards.

The relieved Shrimpers soon replied with Hendrie firing just past the left post from 20 yards and, in the 40th minute, Phil Brown’s side came even closer to doubling their lead.

Payne was again at the heart of the move and, with the Shrews defence backing off, he sent a deflected 25 yard shot against the inside of the left post before the youngster also fired the rebound inches over the crossbar.

The Shrimpers continued to enjoy more of the ball in the closing stages of the first half and again almost scored when a well struck volley from Hendrie was impressively kept out by Leutwiler.

Leonard then also saw a long range parried to safety by Leutwiler but Shrews stood firm and equalised just two minutes into the second half with Mangan netting from close range.

The striker reacted sharply after Blues had failed to clear a left wing free-kick from Black and volleyed home a low shot from six yards out.

The Shrimpers immediately reorganised with Timlin replacing Noel Hunt as the visitors changed from 3-4-3 into a 5-3-2 formation.

But it was still Shrewsbury who threatened next as Nathaniel Knight-Percival’s close range header from Shaun Whalley’s right wing corner was impressively clawed to safety by Bentley.

With play immediately switching back to the other end of the pitch, Leonard then had a long range shot smothered by Leutwiler However, Blues’ hopes of regaining the lead suffered a huge blow in the 65th minute when Timlin was shown a second yellow card.

Having already been cautioned for a clash with Black, the midfielder was dismissed by referee Christopher Sarginson after being adjudged to have brought down Jack Grimmer.

Southend boss Brown responded by bringing Loza on for David Mooney and Sam McQueen on for Payne.

But Shrewsbury still looked to make the most of their extra man and almost went in front when Akpa Akpro’s low shot from a narrow angle was saved by Bentley down to his right hand side.

Bentley then also did well to keep out a low effort from Whalley before the Shrimpers regained the lead in the 79th minute with a well worked goal scored by Hendrie.

The on loan West Ham United left-back was picked out by Loza’s low cross shot from the right hand side of the penalty area and drilled a powerful left footed shot high into the roof of the net.

Shrewsbury piled on the pressure during the closing stages but were unable to get back into the game as Blues held on to record a famous win.