SOUTHEND United's under 21 coach Kevin Maher felt tonight's 1-1 draw at Thurrock was 'a great learning experience' for his side.

Harry Phillips bagged a late leveller for the Shrimpers after being teed up by trialist striker Amadou Ba.

And Maher was happy with the work-out.

"I thought it was a great learning experience for the players and they will have taken a lot from it playing against a men's side," said Maher.

"We had some good chances in the first half so it was disappointing to be 1-0 down at half-time but we showed good character to come back into it late on.

"Harry scored with a great finish and we could have won late on too."

Blues' under 21s are next in action against Maidstone United on Saturday.