SOUTHEND United midfielder Noor Husin started his birthday celebrations early by securing a point for the Shrimpers at Oldham Athletic on Saturday.

Husin, who turns 27 today, cancelled out Nathan Sheron’s opener for the Latics with a deflected effort to ensure a 1-1 draw for Kevin Maher’s side.

And Husin was pleased to work his way onto the score-sheet for the first time since October.

“I’m delighted and it had been a while since I last scored,” said Husin.

“It’s always good to get on the score-sheet and I caught it quite well.

"I don’t know whether or not it would have been saved without the deflection but I’ll take it for sure.

“With my game I do a bit of everything but goals are definitely something I want.

"I’m up to four now and I only got one in the league last year.

"It’s an improvement but I want to get more and be in and around it.”

Husin’s latest strike made it five matches unbeaten for the Shrimpers.

And the midfielder was pleased to pick up a point at Boundary Park.

“It’s a good point considering we went a goal behind,” said Husin.

“It’s a tough place to come and it’s another point on the board so we’ll take that.”

Blues now sit 12th in the National League standings and Husin felt the visitors benefitted from not panicking after going behind.

“The last two games we’ve gone behind and reacted well so we know we can do it,” said Husin.

“We knew we would get a chance and we equalised.

"After that we were the team looking like we were going to win it so we didn’t panic at all.

"We were in the ascendancy at the end but we’re happy with a point.”

The Shrimpers will now turn their attention towards three home games in succession, starting with Tuesday's clash with Wealdstone.

But Husin feels Blues are now far better equipped to deal with a congested fixture list.

“We’re in a better position than we were,” said Husin.

“We’ve got a good squad and if people go out then other boys can come in and do the job.

"It’s obviously up to the gaffer what he does but we have the players and we’re looking forward to the games.

"The fans have been brilliant all season there and we’ve got a good home record we want to keep going.”

Husin also looks set to be available for the remainder of the season and will not be joining up with the Afghanistan squad at the end of the month.

When asked if the situation had been sorted with his nation’s governing body, Husin replied: “Not really so I’ll be staying.”