SOUTHEND United started life without Phil Brown by fighting back to beat Chertsey Town 4-1 at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Shrimpers went into the FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash with interim head coach Jason Demetriou in charge.

But he saw Blues go behind early on before goals from Nathan Ferguson, Rhys Murphy, Nathan Ralph and Louis Walsh saw the hosts work their way into Sunday’s first round draw.

Southend went into the game with five defeats in their last six outings.

And an upset appeared to be on the cards when Chertsey opened the scoring after just five minutes when a long throw from Lewis Jackson found Casey Maclaren and his header bounced into the left hand side of the North Bank net.

Moments later, the visitors wasted a huge chance to double their lead when a fine right wing cross from Jackson picked out Jake Baxter, only for the striker to head well wide of the right post from 12 yards.

The miss soon increased in significance as the Shrimpers drew back level in the 14th minute when a left wing free-kick from Harry Phillips picked out Ferguson who sent a left footed volley into the left hand side of the net from 12 yards.

Blues soon came to going in front with Sam Dalby heading home from close range, only for assistant referee Stephen Parkinson to rule the ball had gone out of play before Terrell Egbri delivered his right wing cross.

With the Shrimpers still pushing to go in front, Jack Bridge soon saw a low shot smothered by Chertsey goalkeeper Nicholas Jupp but the hosts went in front in the 34th minute, with Murphy on target.

The goal was made by Jack Bridge who jinked his way through down the left hand side before delivering a low cross Murphy converted at the far post for his fourth goal of the season.

At the start of the second half, Will Atkinson bizarrely opted not to shoot when presented with a good opening in front of goal before Ferguson cut in from the right flank before wide of the right post.

Chertsey replied with Ethan Etukudo seeing his deflected shot easily gathered by Seaden before Blues hit back to make it 3-1 win the 73rd minute, with Ralph on target.

The defender was picked out by a right-wing corner by Bridge and leapt high to score with a superbly taken header.

The Shrimpers made it 4-1 in the 85th minute with Walsh collecting a pass from Phillips before charging forward and beating Jupp with a well-taken finish.

Blues came close to scoring a fifth late on with Bridge and Phillips both being denied by Jupp but the Shrimpers – who were supported enthusiastically throughout by Stan Collymore – comfortably moved through to the next round.