Harriers were immediately on the attack in the second half and Wheelan got a vital touch to Foster's cross to put the ball behind as Broughton lurked in the box on 47 minutes.

But they did not maintain the pressure and Southend regained the initiative.

They won a free kick 20 yards out on 51 minutes after Williams was pulled up for a foul off the ball. Stewart Hadley came on for Foster just before the hour

But home midfielder Johnson chipped the set piece weakly into grateful keeper Brock's hands.

Hutchings, scorer of the first half goal, shaved the post with a 25-yard drive three minutes later as Southend continued to push forward.

Visiting defender Hinton got a vital touch to Rawle's left-wing cross on 58 minutes to help keep Harriers in the game.

Boss Molby threw on striker Hadley for Foster in a straight swap on 58 minutes.

Striker Broughton needed brief attention after being injured in an aerial collision and was then bvooked by referee Curson for an apparent foul.