A SECOND-HALF equaliser from Harry Cardwell secured Southend United a 1-1 draw at Aldershot Town tonight.

The Shrimpers enjoyed long periods of pressure against the Shots but seemed to be heading for defeat after Lorent Tolaj fired the hosts in front on the stroke of half-time.

But Blues continue to battle and turned their possession into a point in the 73rd minute, with Cardwell on target for the seventh time this season.

Southend were on top for most of the evening but it was the Shots who threatened first with Jack Barham sent an early 20 yard shot wide of the left post.

The Shrimpers hit back when Noor Husin’s right wing cross was pushed out by Jordi Van Stappershoef before Callum Powell’s follow up effort was diverted wide of the left post.

Blues screamed for a penalty claiming Powell’s shot had been handled but referee David McNamara waved play on before booking Harry Taylor for his part in the protests.

With the Shrimpers staying on top, a long throw from the left hand side by Gus Scott-Morriss bobbled across the six yard box being somehow being missed by Jack Bridge at the far post.

Scott-Morriss – who returned from a two match ban to start – then sent a left footed shot over the crossbar from 12 yards after Cav Miley’s right wing corner had been cleared into his path.

Blues continued to push for the game’s opening goal with Cardwell having a low, left foot shot tipped wide of the right post by Van Stappershoef before Jason Demetriou fired over from long range.

But, after surviving the scares, Aldershot hit back and opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time when Swiss striker Tolaj collected the ball in a central position before sending a powerful 25 yard shot into the right hand side of the net, past a motionless David Martin.

Blues made what appeared to be an enforced change at the break with Jack Wood replacing Powell in attack and the visitors soon wasted a good chance to score, following another long throw from Scott-Morriss.

The ball was again allowed to bounce across the six yard box with Bridge somehow failing to get a touch before Noor Husin sliced it wide from a narrow angle.

Scott-Morriss then headed a left wing corner from Bridge straight at Van Stappershoef before Aldershot replied with Stokes seeing a low 25 yard shot smothered by Martin.

A sliced clearance from Ollie Harfield was then pushed wide of his own left post by Van Stappershoef before Oli Coker fired over from long range.

But Blues finally made their pressure count in the 73rd minute, with Cardwell on target for the second game in succession.

The striker reacted sharply after Van Stappershoef had slightly parried a powerful shot from Husin to score on the slide from close range.

The Shrimpers soon came close to going in front with Scott-Morriss having a header from Bridge’s left wing corner tipped onto the crossbar by Van Stappershoef who then easily kept out a low 20 yard shot from Cardwell.

Wood then also fired straight at the Aldershot keeper before the hosts replied with Kwane Thomas having a low effort kept out down to his left hand by Martin.

But Blues were unable to bag a late winner but the share of the spoils was enough to move Kevin Maher’s side off the foot of the table.