FIRST half goals from Luke O’Neill and Ronan Murray secured Southend United a 2-1 win at a wet Canvey Island tonight.

The Shrimpers duo both netted inside the opening 12 minutes at Park Lane before Richard Halle’s header brought the Islanders back into the game.

A torrential downpour midway through the first half made the conditions tough going for both teams.

But Blues’ bright start eventually swayed the friendly in their favour.

Southend came close to scoring early on with Murray having an effort parried to safety by Canvey goalkeeper Conor Gough.

But the visitors did not have to wait long until breaking the deadlock as O’Neill fired them in front in the eight minute.

O’Neill, who was featuring further forward than normal on the right wing, cut in off the flank and fired a powerful left footed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Moments later, the Shrimpers doubled their advantage with Murray again on target.

The former Notts County striker – who bagged a brace at Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday – reacted sharply after Nile Ranger had been denied by Gough and fired home with a clinical finish from close range.

Gough then easily gathered a long range effort from O’Neill before Murray sent a looping header against the top of the crossbar.

With Blues remaining on top, Tom Rosenthal then fired wide of the right post from 20 yards but the Islanders soon hit back with George Sykes having a well struck shot impressively diverted over the crossbar by Ted Smith.

However, seven minutes before the break Canvey halved Southend’s lead with centre-back Richard Halle rising above Smith to head home a right wing corner.

Blues again made 11 changes at the break and soon came close to making it 3-1 when trialist defender William Edjenguele saw his deflected header well saved by Gough.

Ryan Leonard then sent a long range effort wide of the right post but the wet conditions made it difficult for too much football to be played in the second half.

The game momentarily came to life when Jason Williams headed Jordan Williams’ right wing cross over the crossbar from close range before the game petered out with very few other opportunities being created.

Southend United first half: Smith, Demetriou, Matsuzaka, Barrett, Coker, O’Neill, Rosenthal, Timlin, McGlashan, Ranger, Murray Second half: Bexon, Jordan Williams, Salami, Edjenguele, Kyprianou, Batlokwa, Leonard, Atkinson, Cotton, Mooney, Jason Williams,