SOUTHEND United’s youth team coach Dave Huzzey was full of smiles after seeing his side beat Peterborough United 2-1 on Saturday.

The victory was Blues’ first in three matches.

And Huzzey felt it showed the strength of the club’s academy.

“It’s exciting because we’ve done this with six players missing,” said Huzzey.

“It shows how strong the academy is and how far we can go if we keep getting players in and around the first team and out on loan.”

Blues were also forced to come from behind at Boots & Laces to secure their latest victory as Peterborough opened the scoring shortly before the quarter of an hour mark when Andrea Borg fired home from 10 yards.

Blues hit back to equalise in the 35th minute when centre-back Taylor Curran prized open the Posh defence, which enabled Terrell Egbri to cross for Emile Acquah to head home.

Moments later, Shrimpers goalkeeper Harry Seaden did well to deny Borg before the hosts took the lead in the 50th minute when Ide Osimeh teed up Eren Kinali, who cut inside before curling home a superb shot.

Southend United: Seaden, Chandler, Osimeh, Benton, Curran, Mitchell-Nelson, Egbri (Knock 72), Cuthbert, Acquah, Benton (Kelman 87), Kinali Subs not used: Confrey, Hutchings & Quamina