King's Lynn Town 0-1 Southend United

Southend got their quest for a return to the English Football League off to a winning start with victory at King's Lynn.

Sam Dalby scored early as the Shrimpers won the National League contest, with Junior Morias sent off for the hosts in the closing stages.

Dalby made the decisive breakthrough when he rolled the ball home from close range in the ninth minute after being set up by a Jack Bridge cross.

Southend continued to have their chances into the second half. Rhys Murphy nearly scored a second, with his shot sailing just wide of the post after a volleyed effort, before Dalby poked wide.

The home side had their chances to equalise, with both Pierce Bird and Michael Clunan going close.

However, a bad afternoon for King's Lynn was compounded six minutes from time when Morias was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Jason Demetriou.

Match report supplied by PA Media.

Sorry, we can't display this part of the article any more.

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.