SOUTHEND United youngster Lewis Gard continued his bright start to the season by scoring in the Shrimpers’ 1-1 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

Gard curled home a fine free-kick for his second goal in three games.

And Blues’ youth team coach Dave Huzzey hopes the attacking midfielder can continue to impress.

“It was a great free-kick Lewis scored at the weekend and hopefully he should be able to continue this bright start to the season he’s had,” said Huzzey.

“He’s getting into good positions but he needs to be able to keep it going.”

Gard’s free-kick was cancelled out by Joe White’s equalising effort at Boots & Laces at the weekend.

And Huzzey was disappointed to have drawn the game.

“It was a little bit frustrating in all honesty because we definitely had the chances to have won the game and we should have done really,” said Huzzey.

“It was a big improvement from the defeat to Stevenage in our previous game but I do still feel there is a lot more to come from this group.”

Blues came close to breaking the deadlock in the opening exchanges when Damani Dias sent a thunderous effort against the crossbar.

But they went in front in the 39th minute when Gard curled a free-kick beautifully around the wall and into the top left-hand corner of the net.

The lead was to be short-lived though as Dagenham hit back to equaliser just before the break when Tyrique Hyde found White with a pinpoint pass and the forward’s skidding shot managed to elude goalkeeper Nathan Bishop to nestle in the net.

After the break, Blues striker Sewa Marah headed wide before Bishop made an important save to stop Hyde scoring.

Hyde then curled a long-range shot against the left post before the Shrimpers piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

Taylor Curran headed a Tom Clifford corner inches wide of the near post before debutant Emile Acquaih saw an effort cleared off the goal-line.

However, Blues remained on top and came close to netting a stoppage time winner when Harry Cuthbert smashed a dipping half-volley marginally over the crossbar from Dias’ knock-down.

Southend will now be looking to bounce back in their next outing at home to Leyton Orient.

Southend United: Bishop, Bwomono, Farah, Clifford, Mackenzie, Curran, Dias, Cuthbert, Marah, Gard, Kinali (Acquah 61).

Subs not used: Seaden, Yearwood, Pianim & Benton.