SOUTHEND United were beaten 3-2 at Brentford in a behind closed doors friendly this afternoon.

The Bees included new signing Christian Eriksen in their starting line-up as the Danish midfielder returned to the pitch for the first time since suffering cardiac arrest in Euro 2020 last summer.

And Shrimpers boss Kevin Maher was among those pleased to see Eriksen back in action.

“After seeing what happened in the summer, just to see him back on a football pitch was brilliant,” said Maher.

“I’m delighted that Brentford invited us down as well and I’m glad we could participate."

Maher was keen for the game to be played so more of his squad members could get minutes on the pitch.

And he was delighted with how the match went.

“It was a really good game,” said Maher.

“We were more than competitive and they only nicked one quite late on to win it but we had made some changes by then.

“We got minutes into people who need minutes in a really competitive game so it was a useful exercise for us.

“With the quality they had on the pitch in terms of four or five Premier league players, and Christian Eriksen as well, it was a really good exercise and I was pleased with everyone that was involved.

“Credit to Brentford to having us, we’re really grateful to them for inviting us.”

Blues took the lead through James Dunne before Brentford pulled one back to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Lewis Gard put Blues 2-1 up before the Premier League side came back to equalise and then score the winning goal.

Blues Starting XI: Andeng Ndi, Howard, Wallace, Kensdale, Davies, Bridge, Dunne, Neal, Gard, Wood, Rush.

Subs: Egbri, Phillips, Kinali, Trialist, Trialist & Trialist.