SOUTHEND United brushed aside their off-field issues to secure a stunning 4-0 win against Oldham Athletic on the opening day of the National League season.

The Shrimpers endured a horrific pre-season and remain under a transfer embargo which meant boss Kevin Maher was only unable to name four substitutes at Roots Hall.

But Blues produced an outstanding display to bag all three points with Callum Powell, Oli Coker, Dan Mooney and Harry Cardwell all on target against a Latics side who had Will Sutton sent off in the 57th minute.

Southend started strongly with Noor Husin having a goalbound effort blocked by Liam Hogan before the hosts had shouts for a penalty waved away after Powell went to the ground in the area while under pressure from Will Sutton.

But Blues were not to be denied for long and opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the match when a left wing corner from Cav Miley dropped to Powell at the far post.

The striker immediately unleashed a low left footed shot which somehow deceived a defender on the line to give the Shrimpers the lead.

Moments later, Bridge saw a low cross-shot blocked in front of goal by former Blues defender Shaun Hobson before Noor Husin saw a curling free-kick tipped over by Oldham goalkeeper Magnus Norman.

The visiting custodian then did well to keep out a snap shot from Cardwell before the Latics hit back with James Norwood heading straight at Shrimpers goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi from 12 yards.

His fellow forward Joe Nuttall then had a 20 yard shot pushed away by Andeng Ndi before Brennan Dickenson sent a scorching long range effort inches over the crossbar.

After the break, Blues screamed for a penalty after the ball struck the arm of Hogan inside the area before but referee Ritchie Watkins opted to wave play on.

However, Watkins was soon called into as he brandished a straight red card to Oldham midfielder Sutton after a poor late challenge on Nathan Ralph.

Blues stayed strong and made their first change of the afternoon in the 72nd minute with Mooney taking the place of Powell in behind Cardwell.

But it was the visitors who threatened next with Dickenson sending a low, right footed shot across the face of goal before the Shrimpers made a second change in the 81st minute with Oli Coker replacing Wes Fonguck in midfield.

And, just three minutes after entering the action, Coker doubled Blues’ lead with an excellent 25 yard shot he fired into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The Shrimpers were not finished there though and, in the 87th minute, the hosts incredibly made it 3-0, with Mooney on target.

The attacking midfielder advanced down the right hand side before cutting inside and curling a low, 25 yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

With the Shrimpers staying on top, Cardwell then saw a well struck shot parried away by Norman before Coker sliced an effort wide of the right post.

A final Blues change soon followed with Jason Demetriou replacing Bridge before the Shrimpers completed the scoring with a superbly worked goal late on as Cardwell brilliantly headed home Coker’s left wing cross at the near post.