Match report: Southend United fight back to win at Wealdstone

The relegation threatened Stones- who had Sam Cox in charge for the first time as interim boss – took the lead midway through the first half with Manny Duku heading home.

However, Kevin Maher’s side reacted strongly to the setback with Ralph and Miley both netting to put the visitors in front before a stunning double save from Collin Andeng Ndi made sure of all three points late on.

After a quiet start to the game, Blues had penalty shouts waved away just before the half hour mark when Oli Coker went to ground after getting goalside of a defender.

But Wealdstone survived the scare and broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when a right wing corner from Sam Bowen found the head of Duku who scored with a downward header into the left hand side of the net.

The shell-shocked Shrimpers hit back and wasted a golden opportunity to score an immediate equaliser when Jack Bridge’s accurate left wing cross found Ralph, only for the defender to head wide of the left post from close range.

A relieved Wealdstone replied with Duku having a low 20 yard shot parried away by Blues goalkeeper Andeng Ndi before Dillon De Silva blasted the resulting rebound over the crossbar.

With play switching back to the other end of the field, a sliding Gus Scott-Morriss sent a volley straight at Wealdstone shot-stopper Marcus Dewhurst before James Morton dragged a low 20 yard shot wide of the right post.

However, the Shrimpers were not to be denied and drew back level just before the break, with Ralph on target for the third time this season.

A deep right wing cross from Scott-Morriss caused issues for a back-pedalling Dewshurt who could only parry the ball back into the left hand side of the penalty area.

Blues wing-back Bridge immediately latched onto the loose ball and his deflected cross was latched onto by Ralph who atoned for his earlier miss by sending a low, left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

The second half started in worrying fashion with Duku collapsing to the floor off the ball.

But, after a spell of treatment, the Wealdstone striker was back on his feet before making way for Sean Adarkwa.

Once play resumed, the hosts threatened with Tarryn Allarakhia firing wide of the right post from 20 yards before De Silva had powerful effort, from a similar distance, pushed wide of the right upright by Andeng Ndi.

After surviving the scares, Blues striker Danny Waldron headed a fine right wing cross from Scott-Morriss wide of the far post.

But, with 64 minute on the clock, the Shrimpers went in front with Miley firing home his first goal of the season.

The composed midfielder moved through the centre of the pitch before scoring with a fine 25 yard shot which flew into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Blues immediately responded with their first change of the night as Wes Fonguck replaced Morton in midfield before Dackers came on for Waldron in attack shortly after.

After the alterations, Oli Coker saw a 25 yard shot parried out by Dewhurst before Scott-Morriss opting to not shoot from the resulting rebound and saw his chipped cross cleared.

However, relegation threatened Wealdstone rallied late on and enjoyed their spell of pressure during nine minutes of added of time.

Two minutes into added on time an equaliser seemed certain when the ball landed to Max Kretzchmar six yards from goal.

But the Stones substitute saw his shot well saved by Andeng Ndi who then reacted superbly well to also keep out Kretzchmar’s follow up effort in magnificent fashion.

However, the hosts continued to threaten and came close to equalizing at the death with Aaron Henry slamming a scorching shot against the right hand side of the crossbar as the Shrimpers hung on to secure all three points and make it 14 games unbeaten.