Charles Ademeno's first half header was enough to ensure a youthful Blues side picked up a 1-0 win against non-leaguers Witham Town tonight.

Ademeno was the pick of the bunch in a side that counted only Matt Harrold with any real first team experience.

In a fiery encounter that could have seen no fewer than three Witham players sent off in a normal league game, it was Southend than began brightly.

With eight minutes on the clock Rhys Henry burst onto a through ball from Ronnie Jones and fired a left foot shot wide of the right post from 12 yards.

Moments later, skipper Matt Harrold blasted a half volley over the crossbar from a similar distance and, after 28 minutes, Jones scuffed a low effort straight at Witham keeper Rhys Madden after Stuart O'Keefe's left wing corner had only been partially cleared.

Admeno then sent a well struck effort inches off target but in the 42nd minute the young striker put Southend into the lead as he nodded home a long Johnny Herd throw-in from close range.

Jamie Forshaw almost doubled his side's lead on the stroke of half-time but his 20 yard shot was parried to safety by Madden and after the break the custodian did well to push a curling long range shot from O'Keefe wide of the right post.

James Lindie deserved better for his efforts after superbly bringing down Masters toss forward on the half way line - beating three - before narrowly flicking wide in the final chance for both sides.

Southend: Masters, Forshaw, Jones, Murray, Herd, Henry (Lindie 60), Lokando, Abbey, O'Keefe, Harrold, Ademeno.