A SECOND-HALF penalty from Marcus Dackers saw Southend United triumph 1-0 at Wealdstone this afternoon.

The on loan Salford City striker fires home from the spot just past the hour mark.

And his well-taken effort was enough to secure all three points, despite the Shrimpers having Gus Scott-Morriss sent off 19 minutes from time.

Blues – who now sit 14th in the table – saw Dan Mooney have an early effort blocked by Wealdstone defender Ayodeji Elerewe before the hosts hit back with Stephan Browne firing wide of the left post from 20 yards.

But, with 17 minutes on the clock, Blues came close to breaking the deadlock when Mooney’s right wing corner was headed against the crossbar by Dackers before Scott-Morriss volleyed the rebound over.

Having survived the scare, Wealdstone soon had shouts for a penalty waved away after Dominic Hutchinson had gone to ground following a challenge from Shaun Hobson.

But Blues immediately replied with Scott-Morriss seeing a looping header tipped over by Wealdstone goalkeeper Samuel Howes.

Moments later, the Shrimpers wasted an even clearer chance to score when Dackers delivered a left wing cross into the path of Jake Hyde who could only volley his effort over the crossbar from 12 yards when he should have done better.

Noor Husin then curled a 25 yard free-kick straight at Howes in the final action of the first half.

After the break, Hyde headed Nathan Ralph’s left wing cross wide of the left post before a low shot from Mooney was smothered by Howes.

With play soon switching back to the other end of the field, former Blues midfielder Nathan Ferguson sent a 25 yard shot wide of the left post.

Blues responded with their first change of the afternoon in the 56th minute as Chris Wreh replaced Hyde in attack but it was the hosts who threatened next with Dominic Hutchinson having a well struck shot pushed wide of the right post by Collin Andeng Ndi.

But the Shrimpers stood strong and opened the scoring six minutes later, with Dackers on target from the penalty spot.

Referee Scott Tallis awarded the spot-kick, on the advice of his assistant, after adjudging Olufela Olomola to have handled a right wing cross from Scott-Morriss.

And Dackers confidently made the most of the opportunity as he fired his shot into the left hand side of the net, with Howes diving in the opposite direction.

However, just nine minutes after going in front, Blues were reduced to 10 men with Scott-Morris being shown a yellow card.

The right wing-back was cautioned for a foul on Allarakh at the start of the second half and saw red after kicking the ball away.

Blues reorganised with Jason Demetriou coming on for Mooney but, despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors soon threatened with Wreh firing wide from a narrow angle.

Wealdstone replied with substitute Max Kretzchmar seeing a low shot smothered by Andeng Ndi but the Shrimpers dug deep to see out seven minutes of stoppage time.

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