SOUTHEND United surged back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Barnet this afternoon.

The Shrimpers – who had been beaten in their previous five games - raced into an early two goal lead with Harry Cardwell scoring from the spot before Jason Demetriou volleyed home.

Barnet wasted a huge chance to get back into the game when Ephron Mason-Clark’s penalty was impressively saved by Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold.

However, the Bees fought back after the break with Adam Marriott on target before the Shrimpers sealed the win right at the death with James Dunne firing home from close range.

Blues started on the front foot and opened the scoring in the fifth minute, with Cardwell on target from the penalty spot.

The spot-kick was awarded after Barnet defender Ben Richards-Everton was adjudged to have handled Sam Dalby’s right wing cross.

And Cardwell confidently made of the most of the opportunity as he sent a well struck effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Blues had missed their last two penalties with Dalby and Demetriou both seeing efforts saved but Cardwell made no mistake from 12 yards.

Just seconds later, the Shrimpers wasted a golden chance to double their lead as some comical Barnet defending enabled Callum Powell to race clean through on goal.

Powell also had Cardwell free to his left hand side but bizarrely opted to take the shot on early and sent a dragged effort wide of the left post.

However, Blues remained on top and doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Dalby’s right wing cross was headed back across goal by Tom Clifford, enabling Demetriou to score with a left footed volley from close range.

The visitors remained on top but Barnet wasted a huge opportunity to get back into the game in the 36th minute when Kenny Clark brought Harry Taylor down in the box and Swallow immediately pointed to the spot.

However, Ephron Mason Clark was unable to make the most of the opportunity as his penalty was impressively tipped wide of the right post by Steve Arnold.

Blues stayed 2-0 in front until half-time where Kevin Maher was forced into making his first change of the afternoon as Ollie Kensdale replaced Clifford.

The substitution saw Demetriou switch onto the left-hand side with Kensdale lining up down the right.

Barnet made two changes of their own at the break with Adam Marriott and Rob Hall entering the action and the Bees soon threatened with Reece Grego-Cox firing over from 25 yards.

Marriott then saw a low shot smartly smothered by Arnold at his near post but the substitute striker was not to be denied and got the hosts back into the game in the 64th minute, sending a clinical low effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 12 yards.

Blues responded by making their second change in the 70th minute as Matt Dennis took the place of Powell in attack but Barnet remained on top and soon wasted an excellent opportunity to draw back level when Marriott went for power in front of goal and saw his effort parried over the crossbar by Arnold.

The Shrimpers made a third substitution 10 minutes from time with James Dunne replacing Cardwell and the visitors soon wasted a golden chance to extend their lead with Dennis somehow sending a six yard shot out of play for a throw on the far side.

Barnet replied with Ryan de Havilland shooting wide of the right post from 14 yards before Blues hit back with Dunne firing past the right upright from the edge of the penalty area.

After surviving the scare, the Bees pushed for a late leveller and thought it had come in the 90th minute, only for Mason Clark’s effort to be ruled out for offside.

But Blues stood firm and secured their win deep in stoppage time when Dennis charged through before teeing up Dunne to slide the ball home to seal all three points against his former side.