SUBSTITUTE striker Callum Powell secured Southend United a 1-1 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge this afternoon.
The hosts had the better of the first half and led 1-0 at the break with Junior Morais firing home.
But Blues fought back to claim a share of the spoils with Powell on target 12 minutes from time.
Dagenham – who beat the Shrimpers three times last season – threatened first with Paul McCallum heading an early effort over before Blues hit back with Dan Mooney volleying over after a left wing cross from Jack Bridge had been cleared into his path.
Daggers replied with Matt Robinson heading Myles Weston inswinging corner inches wide of the left post before the hosts broke the deadlock in the 19 minute as Morais charged down the right hand side before powering a low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Dagenham remained on top and wasted a good chance to double their lead in the 35th minute when the Morais and McCallum were left up against Kacper Lopata as the only Blues defender.
But, when presented with the opportunity to shoot, McCallum opted to delay his effort which was eventually deflected wide of the right post.
The resulting Weston corner was headed wide of the back post by Manny Onariase from close range before Blues debutant goalkeeper Bloody Nna Noukeu smothered a low shot from Sam Ling.
Moments later, Nna Noukeu diverted a well struck effort from Weston wide of the left post before the Shrimpers hit back just before the break when a neat move resulted in a decent opportunity for Jake Hyde.
But the on loan Wrexham forward could only send his effort straight at Dagenham goalkeeper Elliot Justham.
That proved to be Hyde’s final involvement of the afternoon as he made way for Jason Demetriou at half-time.
Demetriou lined up down the left hand side with Bridge and Mooney moving further forward in a bid to link up with Marcus Dackers.
Blues soon threatened with Noor Husin having a well struck shot tipped over by Justham before the host hit back with Robinson seeing a left footed shot tipped wide of the left post by Nna Noukeu.
The Shrimpers made their second change of the game in the 69th minute with Powell taking the place of Mooney before Chris Wreh replaced Dackers eight minutes later.
Blues pushed forward after the changes and equalised in the 78th minute with Powell on target.
The substitute striker was found by a deflected left wing cross from Demetriou and volleyed the ball into the left hand side of the net to bring the Shrimpers back level.
Lopata then saw a close range header smothered by Justham before he also nodded Powell’s left wing cross wide of the right post but the game was to end all square as Blues bagged their second successive 1-1 draw.
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