NOOR Husin’s first goal for Southend United secured the Shrimpers a 1-0 win at Dover Athletic this afternoon.

The midfielder fired home a fine volley in the 73rd minute to settle a scrappy encounter in favour of Kevin Maher’s side.

And the victory saw Blues move up to 16th in the National League standings.

Southend, who are now unbeaten in six league matches, saw early shouts for a penalty waved away when striker Harry Cardwell appeared to be brought down in the box by Dover goalkeeper Adam Parkes.

With half an hour on the clock, Parkes then tipped over a right wing corner from Clifford before the home shot-stopper parried away an effort from Husin following another corner from Clifford.

Blues continued to enjoy more of the ball and wasted a good chance on the stroke of half-time with Matt Dennis heading a looping cross from Will Atkinson wide of the right post from close range.

The Shrimpers were forced into a change at the break with new signing Callum Powell replacing Harry Cardwell who suffered a nasty looking clash of heads in the first half.

But it was Dover who threatened first in the second half with Michael Gyasi twisting and turning in the box before firing over from close range.

Alfie Pavey then headed a right wing free-kick from Koby Arthur straight at Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold but Blues hit back to score the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute, with Husin on target.

A right wing corner from Clifford was headed down in front of goal before being partially cleared to the edge of the box where Husin netted with a well-taken left footed volley.

Dover immediately came close to drawing back level with Arthur striking the inside of the left post from just inside the penalty area before the Shrimpers made their second change in the 82nd minute with Nathan Ferguson replacing Dennis.

Shortly after the change, Powell curled an effort wide of the right post before Dalby saw a shot cleared off the line late on.

But a second goal was not required for the Shrimpers to secure all three points.