PETER Winn’s 18th minute goal handed Stevenage Reserves a 1-0 win over Southend United’s second-string at the Lamex Stadium last night.

Winn pounced after charging down a Rhys Evans clearance to score the only goal of the game and inflict a second successive defeat of the campaign on Graham Coughlan’s side after they had drawn their opening game of the season at Oxford United.

Coughlan named himself alongside Luke Prosser at centre-back, with the former Port Vale defender captaining the team. Evans and Adam Bouzid were the only other members of the first-team squad involved in the match as Paul Sturrock and Tommy Widdrington, watching on from the stands, ran the rule over four trialists.

The fixture took some time to really get going, and this was not helped by a nasty head injury sustained by Joel Byrom in a fifty-fifty challenge with Prosser on the halfway line. Byrom was replaced by Danny Charge, who is currently enjoying a fortnight-long trial at Broadhall Way from Ryman League Premier Division club Billericay Town.

Prosser was involved again as Blues went behind. His lofted back-pass bounced awkwardly for Evans, but the ex-Swindon Town shotstopper seemed to have the ball under control before taking a stride to his right.

However, he took too long over delivering the ball upfield and Winn closed him down, blocking the clearance before tapping effortlessly into the unguarded net.

Cardiff City youngster Nathaniel Jarvis, the Welsh club’s top goalscorer in Academy football last term, was inches away from connecting with Teddy Nesbitt’s teasing left-wing centre on the half-hour, but at the other end Evans managed to claim Charge’s scuffed effort at the second attempt.

Marvin Williams also flashed a shot wide for the hosts, whilst former Aldershot Town marksman John Grant narrowly failed to slide onto Ade Osifuwa’s inviting cross as United broke forward.

In the final seconds of the first half, Evans made an excellent save to push out Winn’s fierce strike after Rob Sinclair had intelligently passed the ball to him on the left.

Frenchman Walid Bouslimani was unable to capitalise on an excellent opportunity within a minute of the restart as he found himself in possession 15 yards from goal.

The 21-year-old slipped as Ashley Bayes advanced off of his line, and the experienced custodian was able to effect a good low save.

An excellent move involving Williams and Winn almost saw Stevenage extend their lead in the 55th minute.

Winger Williams found his team-mate’s feet on the left-hand edge of the penalty area and lost his marker to create space and receive the return pass, but his curling finish flew inches past the right-hand upright.

After the hour mark, Blues slowly began to impose themselves on the game, and Alexandre Tabillon slashed wildly past the post from the edge of the penalty area before Coughlan’s powerful header from an Adam Bouzid free-kick was claimed down at his toecaps by Bayes.

Prosser did well to shepherd Charge away from goal after the midfielder had robbed Nesbitt on the Blues left before the visitors introduced youngsters Julian Okai, George Smith and Alex Woodyard into the fray.

Evans made a further smart save to deny Winn as the striker bore down on goal with a little over ten minutes remaining, and Charge’s follow-up was subsequently blocked, but it was Southend who ended the stronger.

Tabillon’s set-piece was touched into the path of Bouzid, whose menacing attempt was deflected out for a corner.

The 22-year-old delivered a decent cross from the right flank, but Okai’s goalbound effort was charged down and Kane Ferdinand’s follow-up was directed just wide.

Then, from another Tabillon free-kick, Grant rose to nod inches over the crossbar, but there was to be no equaliser, despite Coughlan’s cajoling from the touchline.

Southend United: Evans, Osifuwa, Nesbitt, Ferdinand, Coughlan (Woodyard 72), Prosser, Tabillon, Bouzid, J Grant, Jarvis (Smith 72), Bouslimani (Okai 67).

Substitutes not used: Bentley & Ofori-Acheampong.