DANNY Waldron’s second half equaliser secured Southend United a 1-1 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Dagenham dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead when Ryan Hill fired home after just 14 minutes.

But Blues improved after the break with Waldon scoring from close range to earn a share of the spoils which sent Kevin Maher’s side 10th in the table.

Maher was forced to watch on from the directors box due to a one match touchline ban and it was Dagenham who threatened first with Harry Phipps having a well struck shot smartly saved by Blues goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi to his left hand side.

However, the visitors remained on top and broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Dion Pereira darted down the left hand side and crossed into the path of Ryan Hill who scored with a low shot from eight yards.

Dagenham remained on top after taking the lead and soon came close to making it 2-0 when Josh Rees latched onto the ball just inside the penalty area, only to see his shot bounce back off the crossbar after a touch from Andeng Ndi.

With Blues rattled Cav Miley was then shown a yellow card for a poor challenge on Hill which angered the visitors before the hosts managed their first shot on target with Gus Scott-Morriss firing straight at Elliot Justham from long range.

Dagenham were soon back on top with Rees having a close range header well saved by Andeng Ndi before Blues replied with Danny Waldron firing over from long range.

The Shrimpers were perhaps slightly fortunate to be just a goal down at the break but, two minutes in the second period, the hosts were back level with Waldron on target for the first time at Roots Hall.

The goal was made by the fit-again Harry Cardwell who sped down the right flank before delivering an inviting low cross into the path of Waldron who slid the ball home from close range.

After drawing back level, Blues made their first change of the game in the 66th minute with James Morton replacing Oli Coker in midfield.

Morton soon picked out Noor Husin with a fine pass that allowed his fellow midfielder to unleash a 20 yard shot Elliot Justham parried to safety before the Shrimpers made a second change in the 73rd minute with Henry Sandat taking the place of Waldron in attack.

Sandat soon came close to giving Blues the lead as he cut in from the left hand side of the penalty area before slamming a well-struck shot against the crossbar.

The young striker then headed a left wing cross from Nathan Ralph wide of the left post before the Shrimpers made their final change of the afternoon in the 88th minute with Deon Woodman coming on for his debut in place of Jack Bridge.

Woodman lined up at right sided centre-back with Jason Demetriou switching onto the left enabling Ralph to move into a wing-back role.

But Blues were unable to force a late leveller as they were held to their second 1-1 draw at home in the space of five days.