SOUTHEND United were held to a heartbreaking 2-2 draw by Exeter City at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Shrimpers seemed to be heading for their first win of the season when Jason Demetriou put Mark Molesley’s side back in front from the penalty spot.

But Grecians substitute Alex Fisher scored a stunning effort five minutes into stoppage time to secure the visitors a share of the spoils.

After an even start to the game, Blues broke the deadlock in the 26th minute with Brandon Goodship on target.

The Shrimpers striker impressively moved the ball onto his left hand side and a drilled a low 20 yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Blues looked strong after going in front but a mistake from Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley led the Grecians equalising five minutes before the break.

Oxley’s poor clearance started a counter attack from the visitors which led to Ryan Bowman playing in Joel Randall who netted with a clinical finish from 12 yards.

After the break, Matt Jay saw a curling effort pushed to safety by Oxley before the Shrimpers regained the lead in the 65th minute, with Demetriou scoring from the spot.

Referee Kevin Johnson awarded the penalty after adjudging Lewis Page to have brought down Kazaiah Sterling when the on loan Tottenham Hotspur youngster attempted to reach a left wing Goodship.

And Demetriou made the most of the opportunity, cooly rolling his 12 yard shot slightly to the left hand side of the net with Lewis Ward diving in the opposite direction.

In reply, Exeter skipper Jake Taylor saw a 20 yard shot pushed away by Oxley before Blues made an enforced change in the 80th minute with Ashley Nathaniel-George replacing the injured Goodship.

Moments after the change, Emile Acquah fired Nathan Ralph’s left wing cross wide of the left post.

But Blues were unable to stay in front as Fisher netted an impressive effort right at the death.