Return to winning ways for Blues Youth

"I'm very happy to have got the win, and even more so because we kept a clean sheet," he said after the match. "The lads were lacking a little bit of confidence after three consecutive defeats, and that probably contributed to us not killing the game off. Kane has got up and that's a fantastic header for the goal, so I'll take that because I think Aldershot have come a long way from where they were last season."

Indeed, the visitors should have taken the lead in the sixth minute when a left-wing centre was inexplicably sent sliding past the upright by an Aldershot forward, although that served as a wake-up call for the Shrimpers, who responded quickly to take the lead.

Julian Okai was the provider as his second corner in succession from the right was delivered into the heart of the penalty area and centre-half Ferdinand rose to nod into the net with an Aldershot defender only managing to head the ball into the roof of the net as he attempted to clear on the line.

The hard-working Harry Crawford was a constant threat and the Shots goalkeeper had to make a good save high above his head after the off-balance forward tried to nod Teddy Nesbitt's left-wing cross in at the back post. Crawford then drove menacingly across the face of goal with the ball just eluding the onrushing Kyle Asante.

A skimming strike from an Aldershot free-kick was charged down and deflected narrowly past the left-hand post in a rare moment of panic before Blues pressed up the pitch again and the 'keeper parried out Crawford's fierce effort from a John Owinja cross.

In the final ten minutes of the half, Southend spurned further opportunities as Jamie Dennis fizzed Asante's short pass past the right-hand angle of post and crossbar, Asante himself curled Marcus Milner's square pass over and Dennis struck a 25-yard free-kick off target.

Shrimpers shotstopper Daniel Bentley had to remain alert and on the stroke of half-time he extended a strong wrist onto a powerful shot to push the ball away with one hand to keep the scoreline at 1-0.

The second period was played out at a more pedestrian pace after Crawford's hanging header had been claimed by the Aldershot custodian five minutes after the interval, with fewer opportunities being carved out by either side.

Milner slid Asante through, only for the 'keeper to make another smart save at his near post, and in the 72nd minute both Ferdinand and central defensive partner Callum Whittaker had to make excellent blocks to protect the Blues goal.

Ade Osifuwa was brought on in midfield to replace Okai, and his beautiful cross-field pass was cushioned by Asante into the path of Crawford, who saw a shot blocked. Asante then crashed the rebound against the top of the bar as the hosts continued to struggle to finish the match off.

Osifuwa himself then chipped over with only the 'keeper to beat as he raced onto Owinja's pass with five minutes remaining. Aldershot were growing in confidence by this stage, and they saw an injury time strike ruled out for offside but Blues held on for a morale-boosting win ahead of next Saturday's trip to Millwall.