SOUTHEND United fought back from 3-1 down to secure a 3-3 draw with Bournemouth’s under 21 team at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Marc-Antoine Fortune bagged a brace for Blues while Jack Bridge was also on target.

And coach Kevin Maher was happy to see his side fight back in the second half.

“I was obviously disappointed to go 3-1 down in the first place but the way the players responded to that was pleasing,” said Maher.

“We had a lot of senior players out there and they all showed a good attitude to help us get back level and we might even have won it at the end there.”

Fortune caught the eye against a young Cherries side with two very well taken strikes.

And Maher was full of praise for the Frenchman.

“He showed exactly why he’s been brought to the football club,” said the former Blues midfielder.

“They were two excellent finishes and they got us something from the game against a good young team who are far more used to playing together than the side we had out today.”

Blues’ starting line-up included nine players who have featured for the first team this term.

And the strong looking team went in front after just four minutes when Fortune fired home a fine through ball from Luke O’Neill.

But the Cherries replied with three goals in quick succession with Kyle Taylor, Mikael Ndjoli and Brandon Goodship all on target before the break to put the visitors into a strong position.

The Shrimpers introduced Jason Williams in place of trialist Jimmy Kebe after the break.

And they got back into the game in the 56th minute when skipper Bridge converted from close range.

Blues then levelled 10 minutes later when Harry Kyprianou’s low left wing cross was superbly fired into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 16 yards.

However, neither side was able to conjure up a winning goal in the closing stages despite Southend substitute Harry Phillips having a couple of efforts at goal.

Southend United: Smith, White, Sokolik, Inniss (Matsuzaka) , Kyprianou, Kebe (Williams), Bedford, O’Neill, Bridge, Mooney (Phillips), Fortune

Subs not used: Wabo & Bexon