Southend United skipper Kevin Maher insisted the Shrimpers were still set for a successful season despite surrendering a 3-0 lead during Saturday's draw at Dagenham and Redbridge.

Still upbeat - Blues skipper Kevin Maher remained positive despite seeing his side toss away a three goal lead at Dagenham Picture: TERRENCE BUNCH

A Drewe Broughton half volley and a second half brace from Wayne Gray handed the Seasiders a healthy lead before the home-side hit back -- scoring three times in the final 14 minutes to scrape an unexpected draw.

But, despite the late disappointment, Maher said he was pleased with Blues' bright start against the Conference club.

"We showed for 70 minutes that if we do things the right way then we can beat anyone," said the former Tottenham Hotspur trainee.

"It's obviously not good enough losing a three goal lead.

"But it's better that this happened now rather than in two weeks time when the new season gets underway.

"We have to learn from it and when you're 3-0 up you should definitely win -- no matter who you are playing against. "This game highlighted one or two problems we have, but we still have time to work on them."

There were no problems for the Shrimpers during a spirited opening few minutes however as striker Drewe Broughton twice came close to opening the scoring.

Daggers shot-stopper Tony Roberts then palmed away a spectacular long range strike from Mark Gower, before denying midfielder Maher.

The former QPR custodian then blocked a low shot from Lawrie Dudfield, before Blues finally opened the scoring in the 28th minute of the match as Broughton converted a low Jimmy Corbett cross from six -yards.

Michael Kightly then skied a 10-yard shot following more impressive play from both Gower and Corbett, who then sent a 20-yard half-volley straight at Roberts.

Blues made six half time substitutions and, just after the break, Gower saw another shot pushed around the left post by Roberts.

But the former Welsh international was well beaten, in the 53rd minute, as Che Wilson raced on to a ball from ex-Arsenal youngster Nicky Nicolau to set up frontman Gray, who smashed home a well struck left foot shot.

Five minutes later, Gray doubled his afternoon's tally with a simple close range effort after Roberts had failed to hold a curling free-kick from full-back Duncan Jupp.

With 76 minutes on the clock, Dagenham reduced the Shrimpers lead as former Roots Hall trainee Tony Boot volleyed a seven-yard effort past Bart Griemink.

The Dutch keeper was then beaten again three minutes later as Lee Goodwin got in behind Southend centre-half Adam Barrett to head a Ben Sedgemore free kick into the bottom right hand corner of the net from six-yards.

Published Monday July 26, 2004

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