A SECOND-HALF penalty from Jack Bridge secured Southend United a well-deserved 1-0 win at Eastleigh this afternoon.

Bridge fired home the only goal of the game eight minutes after the break.

And only some wasteful finishing stopped Blues bagging a more convincing victory at the Silverlake Stadium.

READ MORE: Blues boss Maher reacts to win at Eastleigh

Kevin Maher’s side started on the front foot with Noor Husin seeing an early long range effort tipped wide of the left post by Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell before the returning Marcus Dackers missed a huge chance to put the Shrimpers in front in the 17th minute.

The on loan Salford City striker went clean through on goal after latching onto a poor backpass.

But, with just Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell left to beat, Dackers strangely opted to move sideways away from goal before firing a right footed shot wide of the right post.

In reply, Spitfires top scorer Paul McCallum sent an acrobatic overhead kick wide of the left post before the Shrimpers wasted another excellent to score as Wes Fonguck burst into the left hand side of the penalty area only to send his shot wide of the right post from six yards.

The frustration soon continued for the Shrimpers with Henry Sandat having a close range header well saved by McDonnell before his follow up effort was somehow blocked in front of goal.

Moments later, Sandat’s header from Gus Scott-Morriss’ right wing cross was well kept out by McDonnell before attention turned towards referee James Westgate who showed Eastleigh striker Scott Quigley just a yellow card for a poorly timed challenge on Cav Miley.

However, Blues’ mood was lifted just eight minutes into the second half with Bridge firing them in front from the penalty spot.

All eyes were again on Westgate as Sandat went to the ground when trying to latch onto a half cleared corner from Bridge and this time the official went the way of Blues as he pointed to the spot.

That enabled Bridge to confidently step forward and fire his sixth goal of the season into the centre of the net with McDonnell diving to his left-hand side.

The Shrimpers continued to enjoy more of the ball with Scott-Morriss heading a close range shot straight at McDonnell before Ollie Kensdale sent a header against the crossbar when a second goal seemed certain.

After the wasted opportunities and, with 77 minutes on the clock, Blues made a double change with James Morton replacing Fonguck in midfield and Jack Wood coming on.

A third change followed three minutes from time with Jason Demetriou coming on for his 250th Shrimpers appearance as he replaced Bridge down the left hand.

But Blues were never troubled late on and they comfortably held on to record an away win, much to the delight of their brilliant travelling support of close to 800 fans.