Goals from striker Martin Carruthers and debutant midfielder David Lee helped Southend United clinch a 2-0 victory over seaside rivals Brighton at Roots Hall on Saturday.

The win ensured Blues made the best possible start to their new Third Division campaign and Carruthers, the Shrimpers' top-scorer with 19 strikes last season, opened his account in lightning-fast fashion.

Lee played a short left-wing corner to full-back Damon Searle after just five minutes and the former Carlisle defender curled a first-time cross into the Brighton box, which Carruthers headed past helpless Seagulls keeper Michel Kuipers.

Brighton tried to hit back, coming close to equalising through efforts from £100,000 hitman Bobby Zamora, Harlow based front-runner Gary Hart and midfielder Paul Rogers, before Blues doubled their advantage seven minutes from time.

Lee took advantage of a back-pedalling Brighton defence to smash a glorious 25-yard drive in off the right-hand post, sparking delirious scenes among the Southend fans in Roots Hall's 7,492 crowd - the Third Division's best of the day.

Read the full match report on today's Evening Echo, and on this site later today....

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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