SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher was pleased with the spirit his side showed to draw 1-1 at Wealdstone tonight.

The Shrimpers seemed to be heading for defeat when Callum McFarlane nodded the hosts in front a minute into stoppage time.

But Blues still found time to equalise with Josh Walker on target from close range.

And Maher was happy his players kept going in pursuit of a point in his 600th game with the club.

“When you concede so late you think you’re going to lose the game so credit to the players as they kept on going,” said Maher.

“Their character is incredible and that’s the positive we’ll take away from this.

“We’ll get better as we progress through the season and get one or two bodies back and one or two signings in.

“But all credit to the players and the pleasing thing was we kept playing with quality with Noor (Husin’s) pass out to Gus (Scott-Morriss).

“He’s showed good composure to cut inside and cross for Josh whose finish was first class.”

However, Maher was less impressed by aspects of the Shrimpers’ first half performance.

“I thought we started well with the ball but we didn’t play forward enough,” said Maher.

“We were too safe at times and we’ve got enough players to try and create something in the final third but it was too static and in front of them too often. 

“In the second half it was a lot better in terms of the chances we created.

“We had opportunities to go ahead but when you don’t take them you’re liable at the other end.”

Blues are now 13th in the table.