A late goal from Francis Laurent helped Southend United break the deadlock in their latest pre-season friendly, with a 1-0 win at League Two outfit Barnet.

The Blues looked the more likely to score in the first half, but it was Barnet who became more involved in the final third the latter the game went on.

With any real clear-cut openings hard to find, the game seemed set for a draw until Laurent's timely intervention at Underhill.

Within the opening three minutes, Barnet carved out a clear sight of goal, as Yannick Bolasie was presented with a great chance just six yards out, but he blazed the ball over the top.

At the other end, Lee Barnard drilled the ball across the face of goal and wide of the post from an acute position down the right before James Walker came even closer when striking the frame of the post.

Alan McCormack threaded the striker down the left flank, but as he raced inside the penalty box, his shot cannoned back off the outside of the post.

Simon Francis was next in line when taking aim from 25 yards out with a free kick, which was goal bound until Jake Cole stretched out his right hand to push the ball behind.

Southend continued to create chances, with Laurent failing to hit the target, after doing the hard work in bypassing a series of challenges to get into the box, only to drill the ball wide of the left-hand post.

Another set piece from Francis this time found the head of Harry Worley at the far post, but the trialist could only direct the ball over the bar, with the last chance of the first half.

After the interval, Barnet's Albert Adomah looked to have the beating of Steve Mildenhall when he cut in from the right and arrowed a strike that had the goalkeeper at full stretch, as the ball drifted narrowly wide of the post.

Jake Hyde then looked to have escaped the attentions of Worley for a clear route to goal, but having dallied on the ball, Brian Saah charged back and the danger was averted.

Further pressure from the hosts saw Adomah force Mildenhall to the ground to make a save and the custodian was alert again to tip the ball over the top, after Ismail Yakubu powerfully met a free kick.

Bolasie then struck the ball just past the right-hand post, as Barnet looked the more likely side to break the deadlock going into the final 15 minutes of the match.

But with just four minutes to go, it was Southend who found the back of the net, with Laurent beating Cole at his near post to scramble the ball over the line.

It was the goal Southend needed to claim the victory, as they now head into their final pre-season fixture this Friday at Stevenage Borough.

Southend: Mildenhall, Francis, John, Laurent, Worley, Saah, Grant (Christophe 74), McCormack (Sawyer 74), Barnard, Walker (Revell 56), Moussa.