SOUTHEND United got back to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Dorking Wanderers at Roots Hall tonight.

The Shrimpers went into the game on the back of three successive 1-1 draws.

But a first half free-kick from Gus Scott-Morriss and a late close range finish from Harry Cardwell saw Kevin Maher’s side stretch their unbeaten run to eight games.

Blues threatened early on with Cardwell sending a left footed shot wide of the right post before the visitors replied with Dan Pybus firing wide of his right upright from long range.

But Blues fought back and opened the scoring in the 27th minute with their first goal straight from a free-kick since February 2021.

The set piece was awarded after Jimmy Muit was yellow carded for a foul on  Cardwell and Scott-Morriss curled a brilliant 25 yard shot into the left hand side of the South Stand net.

Scott-Morriss’ sixth goal of the season was the closing action of the first half.

But it was the visitors who threatened first after the break with Jason Prior heading wide of the right post.

The Shrimpers responded with Nathan Ralph directing a shot from James Morton straight at Dorking goalkeeper Harrison Male before the hosts made their first change of the night in the 63rd minute with Henry Sandat replacing Danny Waldron in attack.

Moments after the change, Cav Miley saw a powerful 25 yard shot parried to safety by Male before the Dorking goalkeeper did well to deny Cardwell from close range.

With Blues pushing for a second goal, Deon Woodman – who was making his first Shrimpers start – fired straight at Male from just inside the penalty area after being teed up by Bridge.

Blues boss Maher then opted to make his second substitution of the evening with Oli Coker coming on for Morton in midfield.

Shortly after the change, Ralph sent a low volley straight at Male before the Shrimpers finally made it 2-0 four minutes on time with Cardwell on target for the 15th time this season.

The Blues top scorer reacted sharply after Male had parried out a low shot from Noor Husin and scored with a low, left footed shot from six yards.

Cardwell immediately made way for Marcus Dackers but it was Dorking who threatened at the death with Collin Andeng Ndi doing well to deny Prior who then sent a header against the inside of the right post.