BARRY Corr’s first pre-season goal of the summer handed Southend United a narrow 1-0 win against a youthful West Ham United side at Roots Hall tonight.

Corr curled home a well taken free-kick on the stroke of half-time to secure the Shrimpers a hard fought win.

But the Irishman’s impressive effort came after the Hammers had wasted a hatful of goalscoring opportunities.

Before they were created, Corr came to close to breaking the deadlock in the eighth minute of the match when his well struck shot was impressively tipped over the crossbar by Hammers goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel.

But, moments later, the Hammers almost opened the scoring when Elliot Lee sent a 20 yard shot inches past the left post and, in the 16th minute, the striker sent a well struck volley from a similar distance over the crossbar.

With the visitors remaining on top, midfielder George Moncur soon had a low shot blocked by the legs of Shrimpers goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

The Hammers continued to push forward and again came close to scoring in the 22nd minute when Lee’s header from Moncur’s right wing corner was parried out by Bentley before the striker’s follow up effort was volleyed off the line by Ryan Auger.

Keiran Sadlier then had a well struck 20 yard shot deflected wide of the left post by Chris Barker who was back in the Blues’ starting line-up after a trial at Hereford United.

Having survived the scares, the Shrimpers hit back with captain Michael Timlin having a low shot parried out by Spiegel.

Corr was initially unable to control the rebound before teeing up trialist Don Cowan who scuffed his shot wide of the right post.

But West Ham were soon back on top with Lee having a 20 yard shot well saved by Bentley before Blair Turgott’s right wing cross was volleyed just wide of the left post by Sadlier.

The succession of missed chances came back to haunt the Hammers in the 43rd minute when the Shrimpers took the lead, with Corr on target.

The Irish striker curled a 20 yard free-kick in to the right hand side of the goal after Pelly Ruddock had brought down Timlin just outside the penalty area.

Blues took that narrow advantage in to the half time break during which Mitchell Pinnock replaced Freddy Eastwood.

However, it was West Ham who created the first chance of the second half when Turgott had a left footed shot superbly tipped over the crossbar by Bentley after Paul McCallum had robbed Barker off the ball.

After that, the Shrimpers made their second change of the evening with Jack Edwards coming on to replace Timlin, who was making his first start since breaking his leg against Leyton Orient last February.

Seedy Njie then also came on to replace the injured Cowan and Blues came close to doubling their lead in the 75th minute when Jack Payne cut in off the right flank and curled a 20 yard shot straight at Spiegel.

In reply, Hammers substitute Shaun Maguire saw his close range effort ruled out for offside before fellow replacement Dylan Tombides fired straight at Bentley from the edge of the penalty area.

But, after that, Blues stood firm to secure a narrow victory in their final pre-season friendly before the start of the League Two campaign this weekend.

Southend United: Bentley, Auger, Thompson, Barker, Bennett, Cowan (Njie 66), Clifford, Timlin (Edwards 61), Payne (Banton 83), Corr (Williams 89), Eastwood (Pinnock 46) Sub not used: Chambers West Ham: Spiegel, Spence (Burke 73), Potts, Lletget, Chambers (Shaw 66), Ruddock, Turgott (Maguire 77), Moncur, McCallum (Tombides 52), Lee (Amoo 79), Sadlier Subs not used: Guzman, Nasha, Miles & Cullen