SECOND half strikes from Bilel Mohnsi, Neil Harris and trialist Ryan Leonard ensured Southend United made a winning start to their pre-season schedule at Dartford tonight.

Blues, who fielded a different line-up in each half, grabbed a 3-0 triumph against their Blues Square South hosts.

And it was a dominant second half display which did the damage for Paul Sturrock’s side.

The first half was less entertaining and eventful but, with just three minutes on the clock, a low, left wing free-kick from trialist Darren Currie was cleared by the legs of Dartford goalkeeper Andrew Young.

The home-side soon hit back with Ryan Hayes curling a 12 yard shot just wide of the left post after Charlie Sheringham, the son of former England and Manchester United striker Teddy, had robbed Blues skipper Chris Barker of possession.

Moments later, Dartford right-back Matt Jones forces Southend keeper Glenn Morris in to action with a skimming 20 yard shot Jones was then involved at the other end of the field in the 27th minute of the match when he miscued a clearance over his own crossbar from six yards.

With Blues still pushing for the opening goal of the game, Harry Crawford struck a deflected shot straight at Young but excitement and clear goalscoring chances remained in short supply.

However, trialist striker Carlos Thomas wasted a golden opportunity on the stroke of half-time when he headed Sean Clohessy’s right wing cross wide of the left post from close range.

Southend made 11 changes during the break with summer signings Alassane N’Diaye, Jemal Johnson and Harris all entering the action, with Harris captaining the side.

Tottenham and Wales star Gareth Bale was among those watching from stands and, nine minutes in to the second half, he saw Harris chip a delightful pass in to the path of Johnson but his low, left footed shot was blocked by the legs of Young.

However, on the hour mark, Blues made the breakthrough as Ryan Hall’s left wing corner was vollyed home powerfully at the back post by Mohnsi whose effort crashed in to the back of the net from six yards via the underside of the crossbar.

With Southend now looking more dominant, a sliding Harris just failed to reach a left wing cross from Johnson but, in the 75th minute, Dartford substitute Lee Burns warmed the hands of Blues goalkeeper Dan Bentley with a well struck long range shot.

Play then switched to the other end of the field, with Bentley’s opposite number, Young, palming away a deflected 25 yard shot from Hall but Southend doubled their in the 83rd minute when Harris headed home Peter Gilbert’s left wing cross from eight yards.

And two minutes from time the visitors sealed their victory as Leonard struck an outstanding 30 yard in to the top left hand corner of the net.

First half: (4-4-2): Morris, Clohessy, Phillips, Barker, Prosser, Thomson, Sawyer, Parkinson, Currie, Crawford, Thomas

Second half: (4-3-3): Bentley, Leonard, Mohsni, Coughlan, Gilbert, Johnson, N’Diaye, Grant, Hall, Asante, Harris.

Attendance: 778