SOUTHEND United’s under-23 side maintained their 100 per cent Central League South Division record with a 3-1 win at Peterborough United this afternoon.

Matt Rush, Eren Kinali and Harry Phillips were all on target for the Shrimpers.

And Blues coach Craig Fagan was pleased to see his side stick to the tactics he wanted.

“I thought defensively we stuck to a game-plan and we had done video analysis of the opposition so that helped us,” said Fagan.

“I drummed it into the lads that they had to work for each other and stay in our shape and it worked perfectly for us as we managed to score two early goals.

"I wanted us to stay narrow because of that diamond in midfield.

“I wanted us to get more bodies in between so that they couldn’t play and I wanted to force them wide.

"I might annoy the lads sometimes with the way that I shout things at them and drive them on but I’m going to keep doing it because I want them to get better because that’s the most important thing.

“If they hate me, it’s not a problem as long as they are improving.”

Blues took the lead after just 12 minutes when the Posh goalkeeper was put under pressure by Emile Acquah, enabling Kinali to tee up Rush who swept an excellent lob over the custodian and into the empty net.

The goal was the 50th Rush had scored since the start of last season and seven minutes later the striker came close to adding another as he fired against the outside of the right post.

But Blues were not to be denied for long and they doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Phillips’ inswinging corner to the near post found Kinali who rose highest to power home a close range header.

The Shrimpers extended their lead in stunning fashion in the 69th minute when Phillips - who is back at the club after a loan spell at Billericay Town - curled a majestic free-kick into the top left hand corner of the net from 25 yards.

Posh hit back in the 78th minute when an under-hit backpass from Ide Osimeh allowed Ricky-Jade Jones to nip in to score but it proved to be just a consolation.

Blues: Seaden, Howard, Clifford, Stewart (Eastwood 83), Osimeh, Mitchell-Nelson, Egbri, Phillips, Acquah, Rush (Burnett 83), Kinali Subs not used: Taylor, Wallace & Lambourne