FIRST-HALF goals from Gus Scott-Morriss and Josh Walker saw Southend United record a 2-0 win at Bishop’s Stortford this afternoon.

Scott-Morriss headed the Shrimpers in front before a well-taken penalty from Walker made it three pre-season victories in succession for Kevin Maher’s side.

Despite the final score-line, it was Bishop’s Stortford who started on the front foot with Fabio Virciglio volleying over from close range before Jake Thompson saw a close range shot pushed wide of the left post by the fit-again Collin Andeng Ndi.

The Shrimpers shot-stopper was handed his first appearance of pre-season after recovering from a hip problem while Jack Bridge also started after overcoming a slight thigh issue.

But, after surviving the early scares, Blues hit back with Harry Cardwell glancing a right wing free-kick from Oli Coker across the face of goal.

Moments later, the Shrimpers came even closer to breaking the deadlock as a low cross from Coker found Scott-Morriss only for the wing-back to his shot inches wide of the left post.

The hosts hit back with Luke Warner-Eley having a well-struck left footed free-kick tipped over by Andeng Ndi.

But, with play soon switching back to the other end of the field, Blues wasted a great chance as Walker saw his left footed shot saved by Stortford goalkeeper Jayden Peglar after a through ball from Harry Cardwell had sent his strike partner clean through on goal.

However, Southend did not have long to wait for the game’s opening goal as, with 27 minutes on the clock, a left wing corner from Bridge was flicked into a dangerous area by Adam Crowther which enabled Scott-Morriss to nod the ball home from close range.

Blues stayed on top after going in front but were forced into a change just five minutes before the break as skipper Nathan Ralph had to be substituted.

Ralph had gone down for treatment earlier in the half but eventually opted to come off and was replaced by James Morton.

But, shortly after the change, the Shrimpers doubled their lead with Walker scoring from the penalty spot for the second game in succession.

Just like against Canvey Island in the week, Walker also won the penalty which he confidently despatched into the bottom left hand corner of the net in the final action of the first half.

Blues made two changes at the break with Danny Waldron replacing Cardwell and Jack Wood coming on for Bridge before a further five substitutions followed just past the hour mark.

Charlie Brown, Olu Shobowale, Piers Hatcliff, Beau MacDonald and trialist Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo all entered the action before Thato Molefi and Mikey Faulkner also came on 13 minutes from time.

After the changes, Morton fired straight at the Stortford keeper before the Shrimpers a good chance late on as MacDonald unselfishly teed up Wood only for the midfielder to see his tame shot easily saved.

Southend United: Andeng Ndi (Brown 62), Scott-Morriss (Otseh-Taiwo 62), Crowther, Kensdale (Molefi 77), Gubbins (Shobowale 62), Ralph (Morton 40), Miley (Faulkner 77), Coker (Hatcliff 62), Bridge (Wood 46), Walker (MacDonald 62), Cardwell (Waldron 46)