 Heath then went on loan to Essex rivals Southend United on 30 July 2009 for an initial one-month loan deal.On 4 May 2011, Heath signed a new one-year deal, having featured 29 times in the 2010–11 season.Heath was offered and signed a new one-year contract to extend his stay at the club on 2 May 2012, having made more than 100 appearances for the U's.