A GREAT run of results after my last report - where I was very negative after the defeat by Darlington - has put Town in a great position to go up.
The last thing, well, next to last, we want is the play-offs, and it was essential we won this game.
Coming to the match fearing the worst - 42 years of watching Town makes you like that - and against a team straight out of Land of the Giants, we needed a resilient performance.
Southend, on a great run, competed for everything, but after a shaky start we battled and fought and there were some intriguing battles.
Jon Worthington epitomised the determination throughout the team and, especially considering he was one booking away from suspension, had an inspiring game.
Giving away about three feet in height to most of the opposition and, along with most of our team, kicked many times just after the ball had gone, he was superb.
The referee played advantage constantly but never once went back to caution anyone for late challenges.
He was also determined to give Southend free-kicks outside the box, one of which, against the impressive Mirfin, I thought was for a beautifully-timed tackle.
Mind you, as Pettefer was carried off on a stretcher, maybe I got it wrong again. I frequently do!
An instance in point was when I was moaning about a poor corner from Carss, then shouting for a penalty for a push on Booth, just as Abbott scored with a great overhead kick.
Boy, did we need it.
We should have scored again, through Boothy, but what's happened to him in front of goal?
In his first period with us he would have calmly slotted the ball to one side of the goalkeeper.
But like a youngster (with red mist) he blasted an unmissable chance straight at him.
To be fair it was still a good save. Boothy is probably my player of the season but, Andy, calm down, and let's have 99 and 100 at Kidderminster.
Apologies to the venerable old gentlemen in front of me as I usually splatter a few jokes around my report, but not today, it's too tense for that.
Too tense as well for stupid announcements telling us to buy a ticket to watch Fartown.
Apologies to saviour Ken Davy, but, please, not when we are playing!
This was not a game for the purists but a bruising, intriguing encounter against a form side.
Well done to all for pure effort and determination.
