A HEADER from Harry Cardwell secured Southend United an entertaining 3-2 win at Woking this afternoon.

The Shrimpers appeared to be cruising to victory early on when goals from Jason Demetriou and Callum Powell put the visitors 2-0 up inside the opening 11 minutes.

However, two goals in quick succession from Inih Effiong brought Woking back level at the start of the second half before Cardwell’s header, 14 minutes from time, saw Blues make it four wins in a row.

Southend started brightly and opened the scoring in the eighth minute with Demetriou on target.

The defender reacted sharply after Woking goalkeeper Mark Smith somehow spilt a low shot from Powell and stroked a first time shot into the back of the net from close range for his third goal of the season.

Blues remained on top and doubled their lead just three minutes later with Powell scoring his first goal of the club.

The winger started the move by rolling the all into the path of Sam Dalby.

The Shrimpers striker saw his effort blocked in front of goal but Powell latched onto the rebound to send a powerful low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net from eight yards out.

Blues continue to look comfortable and threatened again at the other end when Shaun Hobson’s ball into the box picked out Powell, only for him to misdirect his header.

A shell-shocked Woking made a double change at the break with Tarryn Allarakhia and Jermaine Anderson both entering the action.

And the hosts got back into the game just two minutes into the second half with Effiong firing home a deflected effort from 14 yards.

Woking continued to pile on the pressure and drew back level from the penalty spot in the 58th minute with Effiong on target.

The spot-kick was given after Hobson brought Allarakhia down in the box and Effiong confidently make the most of the opportunity, firing home from 12 yards.

Moments later, Effiong fired inches wide of the left post from close range before Blues made their first change of the game in the 69th minute with Harrison Neal taking the place of Powell.

And, with Neal fully involved, the Shrimpers regained the lead in the 76th minute.

The on loan Sheffield United midfielder played a fine ball out on the left hand side which enabled Clifford to deliver a dangerous ball to the far post where Cardwell headed home.

Blues boss Kevin Maher soon made a second change with Leon Davies replacing Demetriou down the right flank.

The Shrimpers immediately came close to making it 4-2 with Noor Husin firing against the inside of the right post but the visitors held on to make it nine league games unbeaten.