Recap: Southend 2-1 Harriers

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A GOAL in added time put Harriers to defeat in Essex on Saturday as Amari Morgan-Smith’s goal wasn’t enough to prevent a 2-1 reverse at Southemd.

Morgan-Smith’s strike, following up after the ball had struck the post, looked to have handed Harriers a deserved share of the spoils in Essex only for the hosts to hit back late.

There weren’t too many chances to speak of in the first half – really just one apiece – as Dan Mooney rifled over on the angle for the Shrimpers, and Jack Lambert had an effort deflected wide after good exchanging of passing inside the area from Harriers.

Early in the second period, Harriers fell behind. Top scorer Harry Cardwell was somehow able to wander into space and pushed the Reds, latching on to Husin’s pass before poking the ball between the legs of Christian Dibble.

Dibble held well from Fonguck’s curled effort after the hour, but Cardwell was placed well again 12 minutes later to receive a cross – flicking his header wide of the far post.

On 79 minutes, Harriers were level. A deep cross, aimed at McDonagh, was only partially headed clear by Southend – straight into the path of his fellow sub, Barry Maguire. Maguire took aim from fully 20 yards with a first-time volley that clattered the woodwork. Morgan-Smith was on hand as the ball fell to him, finishing into the net for his second of the season.

An outrageous effort from Nathan Ralph almost had Southend straight back in front on 82 minutes as he blazed wide from fully 35 yards, while Harriers also went close to edging ahead when Lambert picked up on Leesley’s pass before firing into the arms of goalkeeper Ndi.

With three minutes of seven played at the end of the tie, the home side had their winner. A cross was flicked on by Cardwell but blocked by Knight-Percival – the ball falling kindly to the unmarked Callum Powell who took a touch before lifting it beyond Dibble.

Get full team news and key match facts at The Match Centre.

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