TWO headers from in-form Southend United striker Harry Cardwell saw Southend United fight back to draw 2-2 at Rochdale this afternoon.

The Shrimpers seemed to be heading for defeat in Kevin Maher’s 100th game in charge when goals from Jimmy Keohane and Kairo Mitchell saw the hosts lead 2-0 midway through the first half.

But a well-taken brace from Blues’ top scorer Cardwell secured the visitors a hard-fought share of the spoils.

After a quiet start to the game, Rochdale opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the match when Jesurun Uchegbulam worked his way past Jack Bridge before seeing a low shot saved by the legs of Shrimpers goalkeeper David Martin.

However, the rebound fell into the path of left-back Jimmy Keohane who fired home from close range for his first goal of the season.

The Shrimpers hit back with Oli Coker sending a long range shot straight at Rochdale goalkeeper Louie Moulden before the hosts made it 2-0 in the 24th minute, following another move down the right hand side.

Uchegbulam was again involved as he held the ball on the touchline without being successfully challenging before crossing for Kairo Mitchell to head home from close range.

But, within two minutes, Blues were back in the game as a right wing cross from Harry Taylor found the head of Cardwell who nodded his eighth goal of the season into the right hand side of the net.

Rochdale soon wasted a fine change to make it 3-1 when Uchegbulam fired wide of the left post from eight yards before play switched to the other end of the field with Jack Wood having a long range shot tipped wide of the left post by Moulden.

Moments later, Noor Husin volleyed wide of the right post after a half cleared corner from Cav Miley but it was the hosts who threatened on the stroke of half-time with Mitchell firing straight at Martin.

After the break, the Shrimpers switched to four at the back in a bid to stop Dale continuing to pose problems down their right hand side and soon caused a threat of their own with Cardwell heading Jason Demetriou’s left wing cross straight at Moulden.

But Blues continued to threaten and equalised in fine fashion in the 64th minute when a right wing cross from Jack Wood was clinically headed home at the far post by Cardwell for his second goal of the game.

The Shrimpers immediately made a double change with Dan Mooney replacing Wood and Mauro Vilhete taking the place of Coker.

However, it was Rochdale who attacked next with Uchegbulam having a shot gathered at the second attempt.

But Blues - who brought on Brooklyn Kabongolo for his debut late on - dug deep to pick up another point.