Southend beat non-league AFC Telford 2-0 win to book their place in the second round of the FA Cup.
Shrimpers through with late goals
Southend made heavy weather of overcoming non-league AFC Telford before sealing a 2-0 win to book their place in the second round of the FA Cup.
It was only two late goals that enabled them to make progress after gallant Telford had made most of the running in the first hour.
The deadlock was broken in the 74th minute by Simon Francis who was making his 100th appearance for the club. The full-back prodded home from close range following a left-wing corner before James Walker made certain of victory with a curling shot from 25 yards.
But Telford had their chances. Early on Andy Brown failed to make clean contact from 10 yards after Liam Blakeman had crossed from the left, and on the stroke of half-time Jon Adams should have done better when set up by the energetic Lee Moore.
As the visitors continued to look the better side, they were twice denied by magnificent saves from Steve Mildenhall.
In the 55th minute he dived full length to tip away a 20-yard effort from Moore and soon afterwards turned away a fierce effort from Brown. And as Southend made their superior fitness count in the closing stages they got their reward to book their place in round two.
