Southend face a tough task bouncing back against promotion chasing Essex rivals Barking at Warner's Bridge tomorrow.

The struggling Seasiders looked to have turned the corner with three wins out of four games, before last weekend's 21-16 home defeat against Hertford.

Kevin Harman's side now find themselves sliding back towards the National Division Three South relegation zone and things do not look like they will get much better against a rampant Barking side.

"Barking are the form team in the league and we need to be at our best in every department in this game," said Southend's director of rugby.

"They are annihilating opposition teams at the moment and have scored between 40 and 50 points in their last three matches.

"But we have to go out there and gain some respect from Barking in what is bound to be an eagerly contested derby."