MARC-Antoine Fortune’s first half penalty and a late strike from Theo Robinson saw Southend United finish their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win at Cambridge United this afternoon.

Fortune opened the scoring from the spot before Robinson netted late on.

But the Shrimpers were thankful for a fine display from goalkeeper Mark Oxley who made a number of fine saves, including one to deny Luke Berry from the penalty spot.

Cambridge were on top early on at the Abbey Stadium with the physicality of Uche Ikpeazu causing the Shrimpers rearguard problems but Oxley remained untested during the opening exchanges.

At the other end of the field, Anton Ferdinand’s effort from Michael Kightly’s right wing cross was deflected wide of the right post before Blues broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with Fortune on target from the penalty spot.

The spot-kick was awarded by referee David Rock after Harrison Dunk brought down Jermaine McGlashan in the area, enabling Fortune to fire the resulting penalty into the bottom right hand corner of the net – just past the outstretched arm of Cambridge goalkeeper David Forde.

The Shrimpers stayed in front until half-time when Blues boss Phil Brown opted to make seven changes but it was Cambridge who started the second period on top.

Medy Elito dragged an effort across the face of goal when well placed before the U’s wasted a golden opportunity to equalise when they were awarded a penalty after Elvis Bwomono brought down Izpeazu.

However, Luke Berry was unable to make the most of the opportunity as his low effort was impressively pushed against the left post by Oxley.

Moments later, Oxley did superbly well to deny Liam O’Neil when the midfielder was clean through on goal before the Shrimpers shot-stopper pushed over a curling long range free-kick from Berry.

With Cambridge remaining on top, Elito then had another effort pushed onto the left post by Oxley after breaking the offside trap before the visitors doubled their lead right at the death with Robinson netting from close range.

Southend United: Oxley, Demetriou (Bwomono 46), Matsuzaka (White 46), Ferdinand (Hendrie 46), Kyprianou, McGlashan (Batlokwa 65), Klass (Yearwood 46), Leonard (Timlin 46), Kightly (Cotton 75), Ba (Cox 46), Fortune (Robinson 46)