A STUNNING late strike from Cav Miley secured Southend United a dramatic 2-1 win at Torquay this afternoon.

The Shrimpers seemed set for a share of the spoils when the Gulls’ Lewis Collins cancelled out Callum Powell’s first half opener just minutes from time.

But Blues hit back right at the death with Miley brilliantly running into the box before scoring with an accurate left footed finish to secure Kevin Maher's side their fifth win in six league games. 

 

 

Before the late drama unfolded, Miley sent an awkward effort over the crossbar after good play from Jack Bridge down the left hand side before Miley’s free-kick from the right hand side dropped just over the crossbar.

Moments later, a low long range shot from Noor Husin was easily smothered by Gulls goalkeeper Mark Halstead before Jake Hyde fired over from close range after swapping passes with Gus Scott-Morriss.

But Blues continued to push forward and broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when a neat move resulted in Husin playing a fine through ball into the path of Powell who netted with a fine first time finish with the outside of his right post.

Torquay replied with Shaun Donnellan firing wide of the left post from 25 yards before Blues replied with Powell seeing a shot blocked after more neat approach play from Bridge.

Husin then had a low, long range shot pushed away by Halstead down to his right hand side before a dangerous left wing cross from Bridge flew across the face of goal.

The second half was slow to get going but, with 67 minutes on the clock, Gulls winger Dillon De Silva fired straight at Blondy Nna Noukeu from 20 yards before he also shot wide of the left post from a narrow angle.

Blues boss Kevin Maher responded by making his first change of the game as Dan Mooney replaced Powell in an attacking midfield role before a second followed in the 75th minute as Jason Demetriou came on for the injured Scott-Morriss.

With Torquay looking for an equaliser, Lewis Collins then had a low left footed shot well held by Blondy Nna Noukeu.

But the Gulls were not to be denied and they drew back level in the 84th minute when a long throw from Ryan Hanson dropped at the feet of Collins who sent a deflected effort into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

However, the Shrimpers rallied late on with Miley sprinting through from the half way line before scoring his first goal of the season with a fine left footed shot.

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