Southend United continued their pre-season exploits with a comfortable 5-2 victory at Witham Town.

The Blues followed on from the 4-0 success at Great Wakering Rovers on Friday night to find the back of the net with ease in their second friendly against non-league opposition.

Alan McCormack scored twice on Saturday evening, with Dougie Freedman, Stuart O'Keefe and Alex Revell also on target.

The Blues' made their attacking intent known from the start, with Anthony Grant crashing a low shot against the right-hand post.

The midfielder was at it again when he tried his luck from long range with a shot which slipped through the grasp of goalkeeper Rhys Madden, but clipped the top of the woodwork.

Eventually the deadlock was broken in the 25^th minute when McCormack took advantage of a clever dummy by Freedman to race in the clear and blast the ball beyond Madden.

Freedman then turned from provider to scorer when he arrowed a powerful strike into the roof of the net to double Southend's lead in the 39^th minute.

Witham were quick off the mark to reduce the arrears though just three minutes later when Rob Edmunds headed in a corner which was missed by Ian Joyce.

The floodgates had seemingly opened though and even with half time close approaching, the Blues were still able to add two more goals to their tally.

McCormack collected a brace when he found space in the box to rifle the ball into the net from 12 yards out before O'Keefe made it 4-1 with a low effort from the edge of the box which nestled into the net via the inside of the left-hand post.

Southend made nine substitutions at the break, but continued to create chances with Merrick James-Lewis and Lee Barnard both missing with the goal in sight.

Revell saw a half volley tipped over by Madden, but the striker was not to be denied in the 75^th minute when he collected a square pass from Francis Laurent and drilled the ball home.

Laurent nearly scored himself when he hit the post before Witham had the last word when Josh Goodey struck from 20 yards with a fierce volley beating Steve Mildenhall.

Southend are back in pre-season action on Tuesday night when they make the short trip to play Canvey Island.

Southend: Joyce (Mildenhall 46), Francis (Parmenter 61), Juan, Reynolds (Barrett 46), De Vries (Herd 46), Betsy (Laurent 46), McCormack (Moussa 46), Grant (Christophe 46), O'Keefe (James-Lewis 46), Calver (Revell 46), Freedman (Barnard 46).