SOUTHEND United coach Kevin Maher hailed his under 23 side’s fighting spirit after they staged a stunning late fight back to beat Cheltenham Town 4-3 at Roots Hall yesterday.

The Shrimpers trailed 3-1 heading into the final 15 minutes of the match.

But goals from Michael Klass and Isaac Hutchinson brought them back level before Sam Knock headed home in injury time, much to the delight of Maher.

“I’m really pleased with the character of the boys to come back into it,” said Maher.

“I said to the players they’re if they’re lucky enough to play for this club’s first team then they will need that great attitude and never give up.

“You always keep going and never throw the towel in and that’s what we did here.”

However, not all aspects of the game pleased Maher.

“The goals we conceded were poor,” said the former Blues midfielder.

“We probably had more of the play and the better of the chances but we gave away too many cheap goals which has happened a lot this season.

“But you never know what might happen if you get one goal back and all of the sudden the momentum is on your side.

“Thankfully we kept going and got the win.”

Prolific striker Norman Wabo was also on target for the Shrimpers in the first half.

Southend United: Smith, Howard, Mitchell-Nelson, Knock, Clifford, Batlokwa (Stewart), Klass, Hutchinson, Phillips (Kinali), Ba (Rush), Wabo.