AN early double from Matt Dennis saw Southend United continue their recent resurgence with a 2-1 win against Barnet at Roots Hall tonight.

The in-form Dennis scored twice inside the opening 27 minutes as Kevin Maher’s side made it seven league matches without defeat.

And the victory was also enough to send the Shrimpers up to 13th in the National League standings.

Blues - who won at Dover on Saturday - took just four minutes to open the scoring, with Dennis on target.

The on loan Norwich City youngster reacted sharply to fire the ball home from close range after Barnet goalkeeper had poorly parried out a low 20 yard shot from Jason Demetriou.

The Shrimpers remained on top and doubled their lead in the 27th minute, with Dennis scoring for the sixth time in eight games.

Will Atkinson started the move with a fine pass into the path of Tom Clifford whose shot, in the left hand side of the penalty area, was again parried out by Oxborough enabling Dennis to sweep the ball home with his left foot from close range.

However, Barnet got back into the game in the 36th minute when Rob Hall’s pass teed up Adam Marriott who drilled home a powerful, low shot from 16 yards.

Moments later, the Bees wasted a golden chance to draw back level when Daniel Powell’s right wing cross picked out Ephron Mason-Clark, only for the striker to somehow send his header wide of the right post from close range.

Blues hit back with Tom Clifford charging forward before sending a low 20 yard shot against the foot of the right post in the closing action of the first half.

After the break, Callum Powell – who was making his first Shrimpers start – curled an effort over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area before Kacper Lopata saw a 20 yard shot gathered by Oxborough at the second attempt.

Chances and excitement remained in short supply during the second half and Blues made their first change of the night in the 84th minute with James Dunne taking the place of Powell.

Dunne, who had been out of action with an ankle injury since Boxing Day, lined up in the centre of the park against his former side and, shortly after his introduction, Noor Husin curled an effort over the crossbar from 20 yards after neat approach play from Sam Dalby.

However, a third goal was not needed as Blues hung on to record a fourth home win in succession.