Stevenage down Southend

Ben Kennedy came off the bench to win a penalty and score to turn the game in the final 15 minutes of their 4-2 win over Southend.

Roarie Deacon scored his first career goal to put Stevenage ahead before Joe Piggot levelled soon after the break. Barry Corr's eighth goal of the season from the spot put the Blues ahead but Boro levelled with a penalty of their own from Simon Walton. Kennedy then scored a great goal, countering expertly and finishing well to give Stevenage a win in a week where the 18-year-old signed a professional contract before Dean Parrett sealed the win. With 29 minutes gone Deacon opened the scoring, whipping a cross into the six-yard box which missed everyone to creep in at the far post. That goal brought Southend to life and they pressed from then on with Corr looking threatening but Boro stayed firm to go in ahead. Southend came out the brightest after the break and were level almost immediately when Piggot calmly volleyed in from a Dave Worrall cross. Worrall was hacked down eight minutes later by Simon Walton and top scorer Corr converted with ease. Walton made up for his mistake in the 72nd minute scoring from the spot when substitute Kennedy was brought down by Ben Coker. Kennedy got a goal of his own late on running past defenders and curling the ball in to put Stevenage ahead. And he then sent Parrett through in stoppage time and he poked the ball home to earn Stevenage all three points