A STOPPAGE time strike from Harry Cardwell secured Southend United a dramatic 2-1 victory against Darlington in the FA Trophy at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Darlington opened the scoring early on with an offside looking Jack Lambert firing home.

But the Shrimpers reacted strongly with Cardwell heading home before also adding a late effort deep into stoppage time.

Darlington – who top National League North – went in front just two minutes when Kaine Felix played the ball through into the path Lambert who fired a 12 yard shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

Every single outfield player from the Shrimpers ran over to protest to the assistant referee on the far side but the goal was allowed to stand in controversial circumstances.

However, Blues were not to be behind for long as they drew back level with a well-worked game just four minutes when a fine right wing cross from Jason Demetriou was headed home at the near post by a diving Cardwell.

Following the equaliser the game became quite scrappy before the Shrimpers threatened again in the 36th minute with a sliding Cardwell just missing a fizzing right wing cross from Noor Husin.

In reply, an inswinging left wing cross from Ben Hedley then somehow evaded two Darlington players at the far post before Blues replied with Cardwell curling a 25 yard free-kick over the crossbar.

After the break, Noor Husin saw a left footed shot from 20 yards parried away by Darlington goalkeeper Tommy Taylor before a close range effort from Callum Powell was blocked on the goal-line by Kallum Griffiths following a left wing corner from Jack Bridge.

With Blues starting to look more dangerous a deflected left wing cross from Bridge struck Alex Purver before hitting the outside of the left post.

And, just moments later, a curling effort from Cav Miley, was parried away by Taylor.

With 65 minutes on the clock, the Shrimpers wasted a great chance to score when a left wing cross from Bridge picked out an unmarked Powell only for the striker to send his close range header straight at Taylor.

Powell was immediately replaced by Rhys Murphy in attack but it was the visitors who threatened next with Griffiths having a 20 yard shot smartly smothered by Blondy Nna Noukeu.

Blues hit back with Cardwell heading over a left wing corner from Bridge before Darlington’s Lambert saw an angled effort tipped over by Nna Noukeu.

But, after surviving the scare, the Shrimpers came within a whisker of going in front when Miley teed up Murphy whose first time effort bounce back off the right post.

Blues were then denied by the woodwork once again just seconds later when an overhit right wing cross from Demetriou bounced back off the crossbar.

However, Darlington then almost came close to a late winner as Jacob Hazel was played clean through on goal.

But the striker’s first shot was blocked by the advancing Nna Noukeu before his effort from the resulting rebound was cleared off the line by Ollie Kensdale.

And there was still time for even more late drama as the Shrimpers snatched victory right at the death when an inviting left wing cross from Husin was diverted home by Cardwell to sent Kevin Maher’s through to the last 16.