A DOMINANT Southend United surged to a 2-0 win against second placed Eastleigh at Roots Hall tonight.

Skipper Nathan Ralph fired the Shrimpers in front before a well-taken penalty from Jack Bridge made sure of Kevin Maher’s side second victory of the National League campaign.

Southend started brightly with Harry Taylor firing over from 20 yards after a half cleared right wing cross from Gus Scott-Morriss.

Moments later, a fine move ended with Scott-Morriss having a downward header from Joe Gubbins’ left wing cross well saved by Joe McDonnell down to his right hand side before Bim Pepple just failed to connect with another excellent left wing cross from Gubbins.

Pepple then flicked a header from Noor Husin wide of the left post before the Shrimpers made their pressure count by opening the scoring in the 24th minute, with Ralph on target for the first time this season.

The Blues skipper was picked out by a fine low right wing cross from Bridge and scored with a sliding effort from close range at the far post.

However, Eastleigh were soon nearly gifted an immediate equaliser as a poor clearance from Collin Andeng Ndi landed straight at the feet of Chris Maguire but his rising shot was tipped over by the relieved custodian.

After surviving the scare, the Shrimpers got back on top and doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, with Bridge on target from the penalty spot.

Referee Jacob Miles pointed to the spot following a goalmouth scramble from James Morton’s left wing corner.

And Bridge made no mistake with a firm shot low into the left hand side of the North Bank net.

Eastleigh threatened after the break with top scorer Paul McCallum seeing a close range header well saved down to his left hand side by Andeng Ndi.

But the Shrimpers replied with the on loan Pepple showing good strength before sending a low shot straight at McDonnell.

With play switching back to the other end of the field, Maguire soon sent a low 20 yard shot straight at Andeng Ndi who then pushed a long range effort from Richard Brindley wide of the right post.

Blues responded with their first change of the night in the 67th minute as the newly signed Maculey Bonne came on for his debut in place of Pepple in attack.

Shortly after the change, James Morton curled a 20 yard shot over the crossbar before Bonne’s effort from Gubbins’ fine cross was diverted behind by McDonnell.

Shrimpers boss Kevin Maher soon opted to make a second substitution with Keenan Appiah-Forson replacing George Moncur in midfield before Jack Wood took the late of Bridge four minutes from time.

Blues comfortably saw out the closing stages and threatened themselves late on with a well-timed Brindley stopping Bonne scoring from close range.