ONE hundred and 19 days after last tasting League One success, Southend United finally got back to winning ways at the weekend.

A hard-working and determined display led to a 2-1 victory at Accrington Stanley.

And, after months of misery, the victory came as a welcome relief to everyone connected with the club, most of all manager Sol Campbell.

The former England international headed to the Crown Ground without a win in his first 11 League outings as Blues boss and the 45-year-old was starting to find himself under increased scrutiny.

Campbell inherited a club in crisis and players low in confidence when he arrived at Roots Hall in October.

But his record had been inferior to those who went before him and he initially did not help his cause at Accrington when an enforced substitution bizarrely led to striker Brandon Goodship lining up at right wing back and Jason Demetriou continuing in central midfield.

However, Accrington were unable to take advantage as they fluffed their lines in front of goal before Campbell quickly saw the error of his ways with Demetriou moving into his more natural role and Goodship moving further forward.

The Shrimpers did still have to survive a few scares and goalkeeper Mark Oxley made some fine saves before the break to keep the visitors in the game.

But, unlike earlier in the season, when Blues would have crumbled when the going got tough, the visitors stuck at it.

And Jason Demetriou’s second half penalty eventually secured them their first League One win since seeing off MK Dons back in September.

The victory was down to the effort and endeavour of the whole side and it would be tough to single out a man of the match given the collective manner of the display.

All over the park, Blues’ players gave their all and continued to hassle and harry their opponents to extend their unbeaten record to four games in 2020.

The Shrimpers had drawn five of their previous season games before winning at the weekend and have now been beaten in just two of their last eight outings.

However, the horror show of a season before that means relegation looms large and Blues still remain 12 points from safety with an inferior goal difference to those around them.

Saturday’s success may ultimately count for very little but it should still be enjoyed and celebrated after such a torrid time, especially by the fans who have continued to stick by their struggling side.

More than 250 fans made the 520 mile round trip at the weekend and would have been boosted by several aspects of the performance.

Blues now look far more solid while, at the other end, 18-year-old Charlie Kelman caught the eye with an excellent goal and a hard working display.

Kelman was making his first start since injuring his ankle in the reverse fixture against Accrington in September but the youngster has now netted five goals in five starts and now deserves an extended opportunity in the side.

The youngster has long been highly rated at Roots Hall but, with Blues now starting to look to the future, the striker certainly warrants more starts.

But it is not just Kelman starting to shine, as Sam Barratt also impressed in his short cameo at the weekend.

Barratt suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury shortly after signing for the Shrimpers in the summer of 2018.

But, after 16 months on the sidelines, the winger has now made three substitute appearances and the early impressions are he could well have been worth waiting for.

The only downside to Saturday’s win, was a hamstring injury suffered by skipper Timothee Dieng.

Blues are now incredibly short of defensive options and could do with bolstering their squad in that area during the remainder of the transfer window.

Given their perilous position and the recent financial problems off the pitch, the Shrimpers are likely to find it tough to attract players.

And, with relegation already seemingly inevitable, the club must also have been questioning if now was the rest time to invest.

But new additions would lift fans and players alike and could well help to restore some pride after one of the most embarrassing spells in the club’s history.

Saturday was certainly a step in the right direction and Blues will be hoping to see more of referee Antony Coggins.

The Cambridgeshire based official has been in charge of both the League matches the Shrimpers have won this season.

But Blues must now do all they can to pick up more points and pride to avoid another 119 day wait for a win.