HARRY Cardwell insists he never gave up hope of Southend United drawing back level against Aldershot.

Cardwell headed home three minutes from time to earn Blues a 1-1 draw at the EBB Stadium on Tuesday night. 

And the striker felt the Shrimpers were always capable of avoiding defeat.

“It never came into my head it wasn’t going to be our night,” said Cardwell.

“We just had to stay patient and keep doing the right thing.

“The chance came and luckily I took it.”

Cardwell’s late leveller cancelled out an early opener from Aldershot’s Ryan Glover.

And Cardwell felt the Shrimpers should be satisfied with a point.

“In the circumstances I think we’re pleased,” said the 25-year-old.

“We feel like throughout the whole 90 minutes we were probably the better side and we had a lot of possession too.

“We found it hard to break them down at times but you have to stay patient and believe in the boys’ ability.

“We kept going and the goal was definitely deserved.”

Cardwell’s goal came in his second game for Blues since signing from Chorley.

And the forward was delighted to get off the mark.

“It’s always nice to get off to a positive start,” said Cardwell.

“To get on the score-sheet nice and early is comforting myself and hopefully I can kick on from here and keep on helping the team.”

Blues remain 18th in the table, 10 points clear of the drop zone ahead of Saturday’s trip to rock bottom Dover.

But Cardwell will be taking nothing for granted this weekend.

“There’s no easy games in this league and we’ll be raring to go again on Saturday,” he added.