Southend United kicked off their new Third Division campaign in style at Roots Hall on Saturday with an impressive win against seaside rivals Brighton and Hove Albion.

Blues claimed all three points from this battle of the beaches thanks to a fifth-minute header from last season's leading marksman Martin Carruthers, leaving debutant midfielder David Lee to wrap up victory with a stunning long-range strike late on.

And it was no more than the Shrimpers deserved for a resolute display against their Sussex opponents, who failed to live up to their pre-match billing of promotion favourites.

Brighton's players trotted on to the Roots Hall pitch with the cries of "bring on the champions" ringing in their ears from 3,500 Seagulls fans. But the huge army of travelling supporters were soon made to swallow their proud words.

Blues, rated as 28-1 rank outsiders for the jump into Division Two, demonstrated a greater tactical awareness than Brighton, which, added to the Southend players' willingness to work tirelessly and hound their visitors out of the game, proved to be a winning combination.

Brighton, who started the game by attempting to intimidate the Shrimpers with a variety of rough-house tactics of their own, enjoyed far more of the possession than Southend, whose only weakness was to give the ball away too cheaply at times.

Time and time again the Seagulls pumped the ball long, before playing intricate football around Blues' penalty box.

But Southend boss Alan Little had done his homework and whenever Brighton looked capable of breaking through there was always a Southend body in the way, be it just an outstretched leg, to snuff out the visitors' forward threat.

However the real genius in Blues' game plan came from their lightning fast ability to turn defence into offence as Southend mopped up whatever Brighton had to throw at them before launching their own counter-attacks - a tactic far more effective in the strength draining Roots Hall sunshine.

Most pleasing for Little though, must have been his rearguard's solidity. Last season, Southend were found lacking at the back in so many similar situations, but this time they failed to wobble and kept their composure.

Successful teams are built on the firm foundation of a strong defence and if Blues can keep it tight at the back and continue to employ the dogged passion and grafting ethic they demonstrated at the weekend, then Southend fans may finally be able to throw the anti-depressant pills away!

Hitman - striker Martin Carruthers got himself on the scoresheet again, just like he did 19 times last term

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