KEVIN Maher enjoyed a successful Roots Hall homecoming tonight as Southend United trounced Dover Athletic 4-1.

A first half brace from Rhys Murphy put Blues firmly in control before Sam Dalby and Jack Bridge both netted after the break to hand victory to head coach Maher in his first home game in charge.

The triumph also saw the Shrimpers move out of the drop zone and piled more misery on bottom of the table Dover who have still not won since January.

Blues wasted a decent chance to open the scoring after just eight minutes as Murphy’s prodded close range effort was parried out by Dover goalkeeper Adam Parkes.

Murphy then sent a low, left footed shot flashing across the face of goal before Dover hit back with Koby Arthur firing wide of the right post from 25 yards.

The Shrimpers soon replied with Sam Dalby heading a scuffed James Dunne volley over the crossbar before the hosts broke the deadlock on the half hour mark with Murphy bagging his fifth goal of the season.

The striker reacted sharply after Zak Brunt’s right wing corner had been deflected into his path and poked a close range effort into the back of the North Bank net.

Five minutes later, Murphy was celebrating again as he doubled Blues’ lead from the penalty spot.

Referee Daniel Middleton awarded the spot-kick after Travis Gregory brought Jack Bridge in the box.

And Murphy made no mistake from 12 yards as he confidently sent his shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net, with Parkes diving in the opposite direction.

Winless Dover soon replied with skipper Ben Williamson headed wide of the right post from close range but Blues hit back on the with Zak Lopata heading an inviting free-kick from Brunt over the crossbar.

On the stroke of half-time, Harry Ransom headed Junior Tiensia’s left wing cross wide of the left post before Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold kept out a powerful effort from Travis Gregory at the start of the second half.

In reply, Brunt soon sent a low 20 yard shot wide of the right post before Blues extended their lead in the 59th minute, with Dalby on target.

The striker composed himself well after collecting a pass from Murphy and curled an impressive effort into the left hand side of the South Stand net.

Dover replied with Williamson seeing a powerful effort tipped over by Arnold.

But the visitors scored from the resulting corner as Ryan Hanson’s effort was adjudged to have crossed the line despite the best efforts of Bridge at the back post.

However, any hopes of a Dover comeback were shortlived as Blues made it 4-1 in the 74th minute, with Bridge scoring his first goal for his home-town club.

The wing-back swapped passes Brunt before advancing into the left hand side of the penalty area and scoring with a low, right footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

The goal sealed a welcome win for the Shrimpers who came close to increasing their lead late on with Harry Phillips and Lopata both being denied by Parkes.