NOOR Husin’s impressive second half equaliser secured Southend United a 1-1 draw at Eastleigh tonight.

The Shrimpers, who have now not been beaten in 10 league games, went behind early on during their first ever visit to the Silverlake Stadium with Harry Pritchard on target for the hosts.

But Husin’s long-range effort on the hour mark saw Kevin Maher’s side pick up another point on their travels.

Blues attacked in the opening exchanges with Harry Cardwell sending an early header over the crossbar before Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell rushed off his line to stop the Shrimpers striker reaching a long ball forward.

But, after surviving the early scares, Eastleigh hit back to open the scoring with their first goal in close to five hours of football.

Debutant Brennan Camp created the goal after charging down the right flank and delivering a cross which Harry Pritchard impressively flicked into the back of the net, via the inside of the left post, with the outside of his left boot.

In reply, Shrimpers centre-back Kacper Lopata soon saw a well-struck long range parried to safety by McDonnell before Callum Powell fired over from a narrow angle.

Powell stayed in the starting line-up for Blues with the fit-again Matt Dennis selected among the substitutes as boss Maher stuck with the same side that won at Woking.

However, the Shrimpers were below par in the first half and the hosts soon came close to doubling their lead with Ryan Hill seeing a long range shot pushed to safety by Arnold.

Blues made their first change of the evening at the break with Leon Davies taking the place of Tom Clifford down the left hand side.

But it was Eastleigh who threatened first at the start of the second period with Pritchard firing wide of the right post from 25 yards.

In reply, Shrimpers skipper Jason Demetriou soon headed a close range effort straight at McDonnell after Cardwell had flicked a deflected cross from Nathan Ralph into the path of the defender.

However, Blues were not to be denied for long and they drew back level in impressive fashion on the hour mark, with Husin on target for the second time since signing from Dartford in January.

The midfielder latched onto an attempted clearance before drilling a fantastic, low left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 25 yards.

Eastleigh replied with Cav Miley firing wide of the right post from long range before play switched back to the other end with Will Atkinson seeing his skimming shot well saved by McDonnell low down to his right hand side.

In a late bid to force a winning goal, Blues made a double change in the 83rd minute with Harrison Neal and Matt Dennis both entering the action.

But goalscoring opportunities were few and far between during the closing stages, despite seven minutes of added on time being played.