RARE GOAL FROM KENNY IS A BLOW TO SHAYMEN

AN EARLY goal from Kenny Clark dented FC Halifax Town’s promotion hopes at Roots Hall.

The on-loan Dagenham & Redbridge defender fired home the only goal after just 12 minutes as the Shrimpers secured a second successive victory.

“We wanted to follow up the result at Barnet with another win and it was important we did that back in front of our fans,” delighted boss Kevin Maher said. “Credit to our players for seeing it out against a very good team up towards the top.”

The victory saw Southend remain 13th in the table and came despite them losing Noor Husin, Clark and Jack Bridge to injuries throughout the game.

“As the game goes on you lose Noor to injury in the first half and Clarky at half-time so we’re having to adjust as we go,” said Maher.

“To keep a clean sheet against a team who are so dangerous going forward was very pleasing too.”

Third-placed Halifax started brightly with Harvey Gilmour seeing an early effort tipped over by Southend goalkeeper Steve Arnold.

But the Shrimpers hit back with defender Clark on target for the first time since hitting the back of the net for Ebbsfleet against Maidstone back in 2018.

The goal came from a well-worked short corner down the left hand side which resulted in Bridge delivering a low, left wing cross which was tapped home from close range by Clark.

Southend came close to doubling their lead when Sam Dalby saw a 20-yard free-kick pushed wide by Sam Johnson.

Moments later, a deflected long-range effort from Harrison Neal flew inches over the South Stand crossbar in the closing action of the first half.

After the break, Sam Dalby headed against the crossbar for the hosts before penalty shouts – for Jesse Debrah’s challenge on the striker from the resulting rebound – were waved away by referee Robert Massey-Ellis.

Halifax rarely threatened in reply with Tyrell Warren seeing a long-range shot gathered by Arnold at the second attempt before the Southend shot-stopper pushed a late effort from Billy Waters wide of the right post.

But Halifax boss Pete Wild was encouraged by his side’s second half performance.

“It was a complete game of two halves,” said Wild. “In the first half we weren’t good enough. Five or six of them were nowhere near good enough and I told them that at half-time.

“But all that considered, it’s a set-piece that’s beaten us when we’ve switched off which infuriates me.

“We had a right go in the second half but we couldn’t break them down and we didn’t capitalise on the moments we had in the game.”