BRANDON Goodship’s first goal in Southend United colours saw the Shrimpers draw 1-1 at Dagenham & Redbridge this afternoon.

The summer signing fired the visitors in front in the first half before Reece Grant levelled for Daggers.

And that ensured Blues – who lost Harry Lennon and Dru Yearwood to injuries – had to settle for a stalemate in their latest pre-season friendly.

After a quiet start to the game, Mitch Brundle’s attempted chip was easily held by Blues goalkeeper Nathan Bishop before the Shrimpers hit back with Isaac Hutchinson and Charlie Kelman both firing off target from long range.

In reply, Joe Quigley’s effort was easily held by Bishop at the back post before the Shrimpers opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Goodship raced onto Sam Mantom’s through-ball and rounded the advancing Elliot Justham before tapping home.

Three minutes after the goal, Blues were forced into making a defensive change as Lennon went off and was replaced at the heart of the back by Rob Kiernan.

But, five minutes later, Dagenham drew back level when Grant nipped in ahead of Kiernan before racing forward and beating the advancing Bishop with a low left foot finish.

The score stayed the same until the break where both sides made a whole host of changes.

The Shrimpers made six alterations but it was a Dagenham sub who soon almost netted as Angelo Balanta headed against the crossbar from close range.

But Blues soon hit back with Theo Robinson firing just wide of the left post from 20 yards after a poor clearance from Justham.

Moments later and, with 72 minutes on the clock, the Shrimpers were forced into making another change as Dru Yearwood went off injured and was replaced by Ahmed Mohamed in the centre of the park.

The Shrimpers threatened again in the 77th minute when Hutchinson showed quick feet before seeing a low, left footed shot saved by Justham before the former Luton goalkeeper also parried away a late free-kick from Stephen Humphrys.

Southend United: Bishop, Bwomono, White, Lennon (Kiernan 32), Ralph, Hutchinson, Milligan, Mantom, Buckley-Ricketts, Kelman, Goodship Second half: Bishop, Bwomono, Mukena,Taylor, Ralph (Blackman 62), Buckley-Ricketts, Yearwood (Mohamed 72), Kiernan, Hutchinson, Robinson, Humphrys