A BRACE from Shawn McCoulsky and a debut goal for Isaac Hutchinson saw Southend United fight back to beat Cambridge United 3-1 tonight.

Reggie Lambe headed the U’s ahead in the Checkatrade Trophy group stage clash at Roots Hall.

But Blues fought back to secure victory in the opening game of the competition.

The heavily changed Shrimpers came close to opening the scoring in the 26th minute when the impressive Harry Bunn burst down the left flank and delivered a low, left wing cross which U’s defender Harry Darling fired inches wide of his own right post.

Bunn was one of eight changes made to the Shrimpers’ starting line-up by boss Chris Powell, who handed the winger his first start along with goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, centre-back Taylor Moore and midfielder Renei Batlokwa.

The new-look Blues soon went close to scoring with Stephen McLaughlin volleying just wide of the right post from 20 yards and, in the 37th minute, Bunn sent a long range effort straight at Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

With the Shrimpers starting to look more dangerous, McCoulsky prodded the ball to the right hand side of the target before McLaughlin and Simon Cox both had goalbound efforts blocked.

Moments later, McLaughlin wasted a clearer chance to score when he fired over from 12 yards but, after surviving the scares, the visitors replied on the stroke of half-time with George Maris having a well-struck long range shot parried to safety by Bishop.

But Cambridge were not to be denied for long and, in the 52nd minute, the visitors took the lead when Jevani Brown’s left wing cross found Lambe who netted with a simple header from close range.

However, just like against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, the Shrimpers reacted quickly with a fine move down the left hand side which resulted in Cox playing in Bunn whose left wing cross was slid home by McCoulsky.

The Bristol City loanee was at it again in the 64th minute when another move down the left resulted in Stephen Hendrie delivering a fantastic cross which McCoulsky powerfully headed into the roof of the net.

Moments later, Michael Klass came close to adding a third for the Shrimpers as his well struck 25 yard shot clipped the top of the crossbar.

Substitute Lewis Gard then forced Mitov into action with a low snap shot before Hutchinson wrapped up the scoring just a minute after entering the action.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion youngster collected the ball on the left hand side before cutting inside and sending a well struck shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 20 yards.

But Cambridge still continued to threaten and Bishop was forced into two smart saves in the closing stages of a pleasing night for the Shrimpers.