IRISH Youth international Danny Kelly's injury-time strike secured a 1-0 victory for the Canary Reserves at Roots Hall this afternoon.
Kelly latched on to a low cross from Paul McVeigh in the 92nd minute and converted from six yards to give City the points in the Totesport.com Combination fixture.
The match saw a return to competitive action for left-back Adam Drury, who has been sidelined with a thigh injury since the 2-1 win over Walsall at the Banks's Stadium in late-January.
Both Drury and young striker Luke Daley, who is also making his way back from a thigh injury, played for 60 minutes against The Shrimpers. With further game time also given to Stephen Hughes, Michael Spillane, Jens Berthel Askou, Matt Gill, Owain Tudur Jones and McVeigh.
CITY: Rudd, Spillane, Drury (Francomb 60), Tudur Jones, Askou, Gill, Adeyemi, Hughes, McVeigh, Kelly, Daley (Dawkin 60). Subs not used: Lathrope, Steer (GK), D.Stephens.
SOUTHEND: Jack (Bentley 71), Osifuwa, Sankofa, Whittaker, Herd, Milner, Kerr, Grant (Dennis 60), Okai (Hazell 80), Spencer, Crawford.
Speaking after the game coach Ian Crook said: "Performance-wise we've been better. The first 15 to 20 minutes were ok but we weren't as good as we have been. It was good to see Adam Drury and Luke Daley get an hour each and it gave other players some much-needed game time."
City's next home reserve match with Peterborough United has been moved to Colney on Wednesday, March 17 (2pm kick-off).
Photo courtesy of David Scriven, SUFC
