Southend United goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan is determined to get Blues back on track with a rare clean sheet at Bristol Rovers tomorrow.

The Shrimpers are 15th in Division Three -- five points behind the promotion play-off zone -- but have lost five matches on the spin.

However, Bristol Rovers are going through a rough patch of their own, having been defeated in their past four fixtures, and Flahavan wants Blues to cash in.

Lending a hand - Blues keeper Darryl Flahavan wants a clean sheet tomorrow Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

"None of the players are happy with the way things have been going," said the 25-year-old, who has registered just four shut-outs in 17 league games this term.

"And we are determined to put our bad run of form behind us at Bristol Rovers tomorrow."

Flahavan added he would be doing everything within his power to prevent the Pirates sending the ball sailing into his net.

"I know I'm the last line of defence and I will be concentrating hard to keep a clean sheet," he explained.

"I had to pull off quite a few important saves against Wrexham last weekend and it was disappointing that we still lost 1-0.

"We have been losing games by a single goal and I have had little to do. But the opposition have punished us by converting the one chance we have given them.

"On the other hand, we have failed to take similar chances when they have come our way and we need to be more ruthless."

Blues boss Rob Newman hopes to finally have four-goal striker Tes Bramble, who passed a midweek fitness test, back in his attack at the Memorial Stadium.

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Published Friday November 8, 2002

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