RENEI Batlokwa bagged a brace to help Southend United’s under-23 side win 3-2 at AFC Wimbledon this afternoon.

Batlokwa scored in either half to help the Shrimpers secure an exciting victory.

And Blues coach Kevin Maher was thrilled to pick up another triumph.

“It’s a brilliant result for the boys,” said the former Southend United midfielder.

“Renei got himself a couple of goals and it was a pleasing afternoon all round really.

“There were some good performances and I’m happy with the spirit which was shown to get the win.”

Southend opened the scoring after just 15 minutes, with Batlokwa firing home his first goal of the game, before the visitors quickly doubled their advantage with striker Amadou Ba hitting the back of the net.

The young Frenchman has featured in Blues’ last two League games as a second half substitute and will now be hoping his goalscoring display will result in more opportunities for the first team.

Ba’s latest goal secured the Shrimpers a 2-0 half-time lead but the Dons fought back after the break and scored twice in five minutes to level the game.

Egli Kaja brought the home team back into the match with a fine finish in the 52nd minute before he turned provider for Richard Pingling, who fired home an equaliser.

However, Blues reacted well to being pegged back and netted what proved to be the winning goal in the 74th minute with Batlokwa scoring from the penalty spot after a foul on Taylor Curran.

And Maher was happy with how Blues responded to the disappointment of conceding twice in quick succession.

“After the equaliser went in I thought we showed really good character to come back like we did and get the third goal to win the game,” said Maher.

“It was good to see and it was pleasing to get the win.”

The Shrimpers included Stephen Hendrie in their starting line-up as the Scotsman attempted to show he should replace the suspended Michael Timlin against Oldham Athletic this weekend.

However, an injury to youngster Miles Mitchell-Nelson in the warm-up meant Hendrie had to line up at the heart of the Shrimpers defence for the game.

Southend United: Seaden, Bwomono, Curran, Hendrie, Clifford, Batlokwa, Yearwood, Klass, Phillips (Cotton), Ba, Wabo (Acquah)