SOUTHEND United’s run of home victories was ended by table-topping Cambridge United at Roots Hall tonight.

The Shrimpers, who had triumphed in their last four outings at home, broke the deadlock in the first half with Simeon Akinola heading home.

But promotion pushing Cambridge hit back after the break to keep Blues bottom of the table.

Southend started brightly with a strong wind behind them and wasted a good early chance to score.

Akinola looked clearly offside when latching onto a long clearance by Mark Oxley but play was allowed to continue, only for the striker to see his effort diverted wide by the legs of Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar.

The resulting Sam Hart corner also caused problems as his delivery bounced back off the right post with Mitov in all kinds of trouble but, just moments later, the Bulgarian kept out Timothee Dieng’s close range header from Hart’s left wing cross.

In reply, Cambridge defender Harry Darling saw his looping header easily held by Oxley but Blues were soon back on top and broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with Akinola bagging his second goal of the season.

The striker was picked out by an inswinging corner from Hart and, with Mitov again in trouble, the striker headed home from close range.

Cambridge replied with top scorer Paul Mullins having a long range free-kick parried out by Oxley before Paul Digby fired the rebound wide of the left post while under pressure from the recovering Oxley.

The visitors felt Oxley’s challenge should have been punished but their shouts for a penalty were waved away by referee Robert Madley.

However, Cambridge were not to be frustrated for long and within a minute of the second half starting the visitors drew back level when Harrison Dunk’s left wing cross dropped for Jack Iredale who netted with a powerful effort which flew into the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.

After losing their lead, Blues made their first change of the night in the 59th minute with Reeco Hackett-Fairchild replacing Emile Acquah.

Cambridge remained on top with Mullin sending a deflected 20 yard free-kick inches wide of the left post but the visitors were not to be denied for long.

A long ball forward from Dunk caught out Hart and enabled Mullin to deliver a dangerous right wing cross which Ironside converted from close range.

Blues soon came close to equalising with Akinola curling a 20 yard shot against the outside of the right post before the home-side made a double change in the 73rd minute with Ashley Nathaniel-George and Kyle Taylor both entering the action.

Tom Clifford then also replaced Alan McCormack but the changes were unable to conjure up a late leveller for the Shrimpers.