SOUTHEND United surged back to winning with a well-deserved 2-0 victory at Halifax Town this afternoon.

The Shrimpers headed to the Shay without a win in their last five games.

But goals from Bim Pepple and Adam Crowther saw Blues pick up all three points against their play-off chasing hosts. 

Southend threatened first with Gus Scott-Morriss heading Jack Bridge’s left wing cross wide at the back post before Halifax hit back with Adan George seeing a low shot blocked by the outstretched boot of Collin Andeng Ndi.

The resulting corner saw Adam Senior sent a deflected header wide of the right post before the Shrimpers hit back with Pepple showing good speed and strength to get in ahead of Halifax goalkeeper Sam Johnson in the left hand side of the penalty area, only to scuff his shot from a narrow angle.

Moments later, a dangerous left wing cross from the recalled George Moncur was well cleared by Will Smith before Pepple also had a shot blocked by the Shaymen centre-back.

However, Halifax replied and wasted a huge chance to take the lead in the 29th minute when a brilliant right wing cross from Jamie Cooke perfectly picked out Billy Waters who somehow fired over the crossbar from six yards.

But, after surviving the scare, Blues broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, with Pepple on target for the fifth time this season.

The on loan Luton Town forward powered into the right hand side of the penalty area before cutting back onto his left foot and scoring with a left footed shot which took a deflection on its way into the back of the net.

The goal was the first the Shrimpers’ first away from home in 350 minutes of play but they soon came close to scoring a second as a sliding Pepple fired an inviting right wing cross from Scott-Morriss over the crossbar from close range.

After the break, Pepple curled a left footed shot just past the left post after again cutting in from the right hand side before the forward saw another effort smartly saved by Johnson after good work from Moncur down the right hand side.

Pepple was involved again shortly after when his well struck right footed was pushed wide of the left post by Johnson.

But Blues were not to be denied and doubled their lead from the resulting corner as James Morton’s delivery found the head of Crowther who sent a brilliant looping effort high into the top right hand corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

In reply, Cooke then saw a flicked volley kept out by Andeng Ndi before Blues boss Kevin Maher opted to make a triple change in the 68th minute.

Noor Husin, Macauley Bonne and Danny Waldron all entered the action in place of Moncur. Josh Walker and Pepple.

A fourth change soon followed with Keenan Appiah-Forson replacing Oli Coker before George Wind took the place of Jack Bridge to help Blues see out the closing stages for their first win at Halifax in 24 years.