TWO first half goals from Jack Bridge and Shaun Hobson saw Southend United secure a comfortable 2-0 win against Dorking Wanderers this afternoon.

Bridge put the Shrimpers in front with an early penalty at Roots Hall before Hobson headed home a Cav Miley corner to seal another win for Kevin Maher’s side who have now not been beaten in their last 11 league games.

Blues started brightly and opened the scoring after just nine minutes, with Bridge on target from the penalty spot.

Referee Wayne Cartmel pointed to the spot after Wes Fonguck was clearly brought down in the box by a poorly timed sliding challenge from Barry Fuller.

And Bridge made no mistake from 12 yards as his low penalty went under the body of goalkeeper Slavomir Huk and into the left hand side of the South Stand net.

Blues continued to threaten with Callum Powell winning the ball off Huk but the striker’s pass back across goal was cleared to safety by Dorking defender Joe Cook.

However, the Shrimpers were not to be denied and doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Miley’s right wing corner was headed home by Hobson from eight yards out.

Dorking rallied with Jack Jebb curling a left footed shot against the foot of the left post from 20 yards before the visitors opted to make their first change of the afternoon in the 40th minute with Harry Ottaway replacing Bobby-Joe Taylor.

Ottaway was immediately involved as he sent a deflected effort wide of the right post from just inside the penalty area in the closing action of the first half.

After the break, Blues had strong shouts for a penalty waved when Fonguck went down in the box following another challenge from Fuller.

However, the second half was slow to get going and that prompted Shrimpers boss Kevin Maher into two changes with Aaron Cosgrave replacing Chris Wreh in the 67th minute and Harry Cardwell taking the place of Powell five minutes later.

The new look Blues responded with Scott-Morriss having a well-struck 20 yard shot parried away by Huk who then did well to keep out a low shot from Cardwell with his legs.

In reply, Dorking’s Dan Gallagher volleyed over from just outside the penalty area before the Shrimpers comfortably saw out the closing stages.