SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher felt Blues fully deserved their 2-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge this afternoon.

Goals from striker Harry Cardwell and substitute Oli Coker saw the Shrimpers make it back to back victories so far this season.

And Maher was full of praise for the performance.

“It was deserved,” said the Blues head coach on his side’s victory.

“The first half performance was very, very good. It was top drawer really.”

“Some of our passing and our movement was very good.

“Our goal was brilliantly taken and we could have had another.

“We had a lot of control in the game but it was a counter attack we took the lead from which was pleasing.

“We got another goal late on and we’re delighted with the overall result and the clean sheet as well.”

Blues have now taken six points from six at six at the start of the season, despite the club’s off-field issues.

And Maher was again quick to praise the work-rate of his players.

“They’re a close group and they work ever so hard,” said Maher.

“If you’re a fan watching them they’re a likeable lot because you see the effort every week.

"We defended well too.

“Dagenham have got a threat and when the balls coming in the box and they’re going a bit longer you’ve got to deal with it which we did.

“There are one or two more free-kicks given which all of sudden allow more balls in the box and it wasn’t as free-flowing in the second half.

“It was a different type of performance but to go and get the second goal killed the game a bit.”

Coker bagged Blues’ second goal of the game with a superbly taken effort from outside the penalty area.

But Maher was not surprised to see the midfielder hit the back of the net for the second match in succession.

“It's nothing we didn’t already know he’s got in terms of his finishing around the box because we do a lot of it in training,” said Maher.

“Moons (Dan Mooney) got the assist as well so I think the subs worked.

“That’s pleasing and with such a small squad they have to make an impact and they did.”