BILEL Mohsni’s first half header secured Southend United a winning start to their season with a 1-0 triumph over Hereford this afternoon.

The French forward nodded home a right wing cross from Ryan Hall in just the 14th minute of the match as Blues beat the Bulls for the 10th time in succession.

But there were a few nervy moments for Paul Sturrock’s side in the second half.

Early on, Southend were well on top and, with just two minutes on the clock, Jemal Johnson volleyed wide of the right post from a narrow angle after a fine ball into the box by Hall.

Moments later Johnson turned provider as his glanced header fell in to the path of Neil Harris who dragged a low volley wide of the left post from 12 yards.

But, with 14 minutes on the clock, Blues bagged what proved to be the only goal of the game as Hall cut in off the right flank and delivered a fantastic driven cross to the back post where Mohsni guided the ball in to the bottom right hand corner of the net from eight yards.

Mohsni continued to the cause visitors problems, especially in the air, and he soon had another header – from Hall’s left wing free-kick was tipped over by Hereford goalkeeper Adam Bartlett.

The Frenchman then nodded a left wing cross from Johnson past the right post before the Bulls hit back with James McQuilkin firing off target from 25 yards.

With play immediately switching back to the other end of the field, Mohsni soon fired over from long range before a stinging long range free-kick from Hall warmed the hands of Bartlett.

The Bulls keeper then easily also kept out a scuffed close range shot from Mohsni before Johnson stroked a shot across the face of goal in the closing action of the half.

Southend remained on top at the start of the second period with Harris impressively teeing up Hall on the right flank before bursting in to the box to head the winger’s cross over the bar from eight yards.

Blues continued to push for the second goal with Mark Phillips heading a quickly taken Hall free-kick wide of the right post and, in the 55th minute, a low volley from Mohsni was ruled out for offside.

But, following the disallowed strike, Hereford won a succession of free-kicks around the penalty area and, although they did not trouble Glenn Morris in the Southend goal, it made things nervy for Sturrock’s side.

Blues were now also not playing as well as in the first half but they came agonisingly close to doubling their lead in the 74th minute with Harris going close twice in quick succession.

First, the experienced striker saw his downward header brilliantly kept out by Bartlett before he rolled the ball against the left post during the subsequent goal mouth scramble.

Having survived the double scare, Hereford hit back with McQuilkin firing a deflected 20 yard shot wide of the left post and Joe Colbeck having a goalbound shot bravely diverted off target by Luke Prosser.

Blues boss Paul Sturrock responded by bringing on Lee Sawyer for Johnson and Blues could have made it 2-0 in the 83rd minute when Mohsni raced through on goal.

But the makeshift striker was stopped in his tracks by Bartlett who bravely dived at the Frenchman’s feet.

Mohsni then headed a right wing cross from Sean Clohessy straight at Bartlett before he was replaced late on by Liam Dickinson.

He came close to adding a second goal in added on time when his deflected 25 yard shot clipped the top of the crossbar but Mohsni’s header proved to be enough, meaning Hereford have now not won at Roots Hall since 1981.