SOUTHEND United bounced back to winning ways with a 2-0 triumph against Maidenhead United at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Shrimpers suffered a painful 2-1 defeat at Eastleigh on Saturday.

But Kevin Maher’s side responded strongly to the setback with goals from Gus Scott-Morriss and Callum Powell securing all three points.

Blues started on the front foot with Callum Powell sending a dangerous left wing cross across the face of goal before a deflected right wing-cross from Scott-Morriss landed on top of the North Bank net.

Powell then saw a low shot smothered by Maidenhead goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai before the hosts survived a scare when a backpass from Wes Fonguck appeared to have wrong-footed Collin Andeng Ndi before the Blues keeper reacted quickly to divert the ball behind.

But, after surviving the scare, the Shrimpers reacted strongly and opened the scoring in the 24th minute, with Scott-Morriss on target.

The summer signing – who was making his first start of the season – was picked out by a right wing corner from Dan Mooney before heading home from six yards out.

Blues soon pushed for a second goal with Mooney having a long range effort parried away by Gyollai before Scott-Morriss saw his follow up effort deflected behind for a corner by Sam Beckwith.

However, the Shrimpers threatened again at the start of the second half and doubled their lead in the 52nd minute, with Powell on target for the second time in three days.

Mooney was again the instigator as he twisted past Sam Beckwith before delivering a low cross Powell fired into the left hand side of the net with a fine, first time finish.

Moments later, Aaron Cosgrave sent a deflected 18 yard shot inches wide of the left post before the visitors nearly got back into the game in the 79th minute when Shawn McCoulsky beat Collin Andeng Ndi to a long ball forward, only for Tom Clifford to rush back and clear the ball off the goal-line.

Blues responded by making two changes in quick succession as Jack Bridge took the place of Powell and Jason Demetriou came on for Scott-Morriss.

The Shrimpers came close to adding a third late on when Mooney chipped an effort against the left post before slashing the rebound wide.