James Walker became an instant hero with Southend fans after scoring on his debut to secure a 2-1 home win over Bournemouth on Saturday.The striker arrived on loan from Charlton on Friday and scored the decider in the 79th minute when he rifled the ball into the bottom left-hand corner from 18 yards after his initial effort was blocked.

But the 20-year-old, whose original move to Roots Hall for £200,000 was abandoned during the transfer window when a medical revealed a heart abnormality, blew a chance to double his tally four minutes later when he fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

The Shrimpers took the lead after 10 minutes after Simon Francis' long ball allowed Lee Barnard to nip in behind a static Cherries rearguard and slot home past Gareth Stewart for his third goal in four starts since signing from Spurs.

Bournemouth equalised when Warren Cummings' cross from a Max Gradel short-corner was met 12 yards out by Jason Pearce who jumped highest to head past Darryl Flahavan.

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