SOUTHEND United’s winning run was ended by a 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood this afternoon.

The Shrimpers seemed on course for a fifth successive victory when Jack Bridge fired them in front from the penalty spot in the first half.

But Erico Sousa secured a share of the spoils for Boreham Wood after the break in a game which saw Blues supported by more fans than their hosts.

Kevin Maher’s side were roared on by 1,293 fans in a crowd of 2,217 however it was the hosts who threatened first with Tyrone Marsh seeing a long range shot well held by Blues goalkeeper Nick Hayes.

In reply, Shrimpers striker Daniel Kanu saw an effort blocked by the onrushing Nathan Ashmore following a poor backpass from Erico Sousa.

But the Shrimpers stayed on top and broke the deadlock in the 21st minute with Bridge on target from the penalty spot.

On loan Charlton Athletic Daniel Kanu did well to win the spot-kick after nicking the ball from Jamal Fyfield and charging clean through on goal.

However, the forward was upended by Boreham Wood goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore and referee Dean Watson immediately pointed to the spot.

Ashmore – who saved a penalty from Bridge in the corresponding fixture last season – was shown a yellow card for his challenge.

And Bridge was not to be denied this time around as he sent an assured effort into the centre of the goal with Ashmore diving to his left hand side.

Boreham Wood replied with Marsh having a swerving 25 yard shot parried out by Hayes before Angelo Balanta saw a 12 yard volley kept out low down to his right hand side by Hayes at the start of the second half.

But the hosts were not to be denied and they drew back level in the 47th minute when Erico Sousa collected the ball in the right hand side of the penalty area before scoring with a low, left footed shot from 12 yards.

Moments later, Hayes did superbly well to stop Oli Coker scoring an own goal as the on loan Ipswich Town goalkeeper pushed the midfielder’s inadvertent effort over the crossbar following a left wing corner from Sousa.

Blues replied with Noor Husin sending a left footed shot from 25 yards just wide of the right post but Boreham Wood were soon back on top with Hayes superbly keeping out a powerful effort from Lee Ndlovu.

In a bid to get back on top the Shrimpers made their first change of the game in the 68th minute with Brooklyn Kabongolo replacing Wes Fonguck.

Kabongolo went to the left of the back three with Nathan Ralph moving to left wing-back and Bridge into a more central midfield role.

Bridge soon darted into the left hand side of the penalty area but his low cross was slightly behind the advancing Harry Cardwell who sent his effort well wide of the left post.

Kanu then had a low, left footed shot smothered by Ashmore after neat approach play from Husin before the striker made way for Jack Wood five minutes from time.

However, Boreham Wood still threatened next with Jamal Fyfield heading inches wide of the left post and, right at the death, Hayes impressively diverted another effort from Ndlovu wide of the right post to make sure of a point for Blues.