Southend United boss David Webb was left counting a catalogue of missed chances from his promotion chasers, following Saturday's 1-0 Roots Hall victory against Lincoln City.

Ben Abbey notched his tenth goal of the season during the first-half to give sixth-placed Blues their first home success in the Third Division for more than a month.

But Webb was left frustrated as his team failed to make the winning margin far more convincing.

"It's nice to have finally won at home in the league, but we've got to learn to finish teams off," he said.

"We've had more goalscoring opportunities against Lincoln than we've had for weeks. But it's a shame we didn't take them.

"I suppose I should give credit to Lincoln for actually coming here and attacking us as it gave us the chance to carve out numerous openings," the Blues boss added.

"We were very good offensively during the first-half and we could still have got a couple more goals after the break, as Lincoln pushed men forward in search of an equaliser.

"But we weren't ruthless enough and failed to take our chances. And when you hear that one of our promotion rivals, Blackpool, have won 6-0, it makes our misses seem even more disappointing."

Hitman Abbey, recalled to the side after being dropped for the midweek LDV Vans Trophy win over Second Division Bristol Rovers, said he hoped his latest goal would keep him in the side.

"I want to keep my place in the team and I want to score even more goals," said Abbey, who is now Blues' top scorer this season.

"But none of the players know what is going to happen because the manager constantly keeps us on our toes," the hitman added.

"There is so much competition at the club because we have a squad of very good players here and you know that somebody else could easily take your place."

But Abbey admitted he was disappointed to leave the pitch with just the one goal against Lincoln.

"I've never seen us create so many chances," added the 22-year-old. "I'm glad to have got the winner, but I know I should have had more.

"I had a great chance at the start of the game when I was one-on-one with their goalkeeper. I gave him the eyes, but the ball flew wide - it was just one of those days!"

And Abbey paid tribute to Lincoln keeper Chris Day, who kept Southend at bay almost single-handedly. "Their goalie did very well and pulled off some great saves," added Abbey. "He always managed to get something in the way of the ball and kept a few of us off the scoresheet."

Abbey days - goal-scorer Ben Abbey is mobbed by team-mates at Roots Hall

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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