SOUTHEND United’s under 21 team were held to a 1-1 draw at Newport County this afternoon.

The Welsh side took the lead in the first half when former Shrimpers striker Craig Reid, who recently returned to the League Two club, fired home.

But Blues hit back after the break and equalised when Micky Demetriou netted an own goal to ensure the game ended all square.

And Southend’s under 21 coach Kevin Maher was happy his side were able to secure a share of the spoils in the Central League clash.

“To be honest Newport were on top in the first half but we hung in there when needed and were able to improve in the second half,” said Maher.

“It was one of those games that wasn’t really ever going to be about tactics.

“It was all about matching Newport’s physicality and we did that more in the second half.

“We started to put our foot far more regularly which is what was needed and we got our reward in the end.

"The game was played in difficult conditions which added to the challenge and I thought the boys showed good character to come back into it.

“There were certainly plenty of positives for us, especially in the second half and it’s a game we can take a lot from.”

Southend United: Bexon, Williams, Salami, Matsuzaka, Cotton, Phillips, Coutts, Bedford, Clark (Kinali), Wabo (Bwomono), Walker