CHRIS Wreh’s second half equaliser secured Southend United a 1-1 draw at Solihull Moors this afternoon.
Andrew Dallas put last season’s play-off finalists in front early on with a well-taken effort.
But Blues hit back after the break to pick up their first point of the season with Wreh scoring an excellent effort from 20 yards.
The Shrimpers wasted a good early chance to take the lead when a poor backpass from Jack Clarke teed up Callum Powell.
But, after being forced wide with his first touch, Powell sent a left footed shot wide of the target.
Moments later, Powell’s striker partner, Wreh, charged forward from the halfway line and saw his low shot smothered by Solihull goalkeeper Louie Moulden.
But Solihull stood strong and hit back to open the scoring in the 12th minute, with the dangerous Dallas on target for the second game in succession.
The striker darted into the right hand side of the penalty area and scored with a clinical shot into the opposite corner of the net.
Moors soon came close to doubling their lead with Ryan Barnett sprinting down the right hand before seeing a powerful shot parried to safety by Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold.
After surviving the scares, the Shrimpers came close to equalising on the half hour mark when Wes Fonguck left wing cross was partially cleared into the path of debutant Jaden Crowhurst whose deflected effort was impressively kept out by the strong left arm of Solihull goalkeeper Moulden.
At the other end of the pitch, Jamey Osborn saw a low 25 yard shot easily saved by Arnold before Blues replied with Callum Powell curling a 20 yard shot straight at Moulden.
Powell then sent another effort into the grateful gloves of Moulden before Wreh headed a right wing corner from Tom Clifford over the crossbar in the opening action of the second half.
That proved to be Clifford’s last involvement in the match as, following a clash of heads, he was taken off in the 57th minute and replaced by Louis Lomas who came on for his Blues debut.
Lomas lined up as the left sided centre-back with Nathan Ralph switching to left wing-back and, eight minutes later, the visitors equalised in fine fashion, with Wreh netting the Shrimpers’ first goal of the season.
The summer signing – who posed problems all afternoon – collected the ball just outside the penalty area and curled a brilliant left footed shot high into the left hand side of the net.
Play was momentarily halted after the leveller as a Blues fan appeared to be involved in an altercation with Moors goalkeeper Moulden.
Once the game got back underway, Solihull introduced Josh Kelly from the bench and the former Maidenhead forward came close to making an instant impression as he darted into the left hand side of the box before seeing his shot well blocked by Arnold.
The Shrimpers responded with their second change of the afternoon as Dan Mooney took the place of Wes Fonguck before Jack Bridge replaced Powell with seven minutes remaining.
Both sides pushed for a late winner and Blues survived a scare in the dying minutes when Dallas went down in the box following a challenge from Arnold before the striker was eventually booked for diving amid fears of a penalty being awarded.
Southend United: Arnold, Crowhurst, Hobson, Kensdale, Ralph, Clifford (Lomas 57), Husin, Miley, Fonguck (Mooney 80), Wreh, Powell (Bridge 83).
Subs not used: Andeng Ndi & Sandat
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