SHAQ Coulthirst’s last gasp penalty secured Southend United a hard fought 1-0 win against York City at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Shrimpers seemed to be heading for a fourth successive goal draw at their own ground until Joe Pigott was brought down in the box by Brad Halliday.

And that enabled substitute Coulthirst to step up and confidently roll an 88th minute spot kick in to the right hand side of the net.

However, Blues were perhaps fortunate to secure all three points as York certainly had the better of the first half.

City pressed hard early on with Emile Sinclair and Luke Summerfield both firing long range efforts straight at Shrimpers goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

But, with 26 minutes on the clock, the visitors came even closer to taking the lead when Summerfield’s effort from the edge of the penalty area was impressively tipped wide of the right post by Bentley.

Moments later, the Minstermen again almost broke the deadlock when Russ Penn headed John McCombe’s knock down from Josh Carson’s right wing corner inches past the left post from close range.

York continued to threaten with right-back Brad Halliday charging forward before sending a curling 25 yard shot just wide of the left post before Jake Hyde saw his low effort from the edge of the penalty area well saved by Bentley who pushed the ball wide of the left post.

However, on the stroke of half-time, Bentley’s blushes were spared by Michael Timlin who headed Penn’s effort off the goal-line after the Blues’ corner had failed to claim a left wing corner from Carson.

After the break, Shrimpers’ Timlin took centre stage at the other end of the pitch as his 20 yard shot was tipped wide of the right post by York goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik.

But Blues’ were still unable to threaten going forward and that soon led to their first change of the game in the 58th minute as Myles Weston came on to replace Will Atkinson on the left flank.

Three minutes later, the Shrimpers made their second substitution with Kevan Hurst coming on for David Worrall.

And, just seconds after the change, Blues almost went in front when Joe Pigott’s low shot was 12 yards was blocked the outstretched leg of Olejnik.

Sixteen minutes from time, Southend made their final change with Coulthirst coming on for Jake Cassidy.

And it was the on loan Tottenham Hotspur striker who popped up to score Blues’ first home goal since the end of the November, after bagging a penalty just two minutes from time.

The spot-kick was awarded after Halliday brought down Pigott in the box and Coulthirst confident stroked home the penalty to secure a third successive win for the Shrimpers.