A goal in each half from Irishman Barry Corr help send Southend United to a 2-0 home win over Fleetwood Town on Friday.
Fleetwood started the game well and David Ball forced home goalkeeper Daniel Bentley into a smart stop from 25 yards. Corr bundled Kevan Hurst's deep cross in with 21 minutes on the clock to send the Blues 1-0 up.
As Fleetwood searched for an equaliser, Antoni Sarcevic struck the woodwork with a free-kick and the 21-year-old went close again just before the break, but lashed an effort straight at Bentley.
Corr almost doubled the hosts' lead from another Hurst cross, but headed agonisingly wide, although he would find the net again with 10 minutes to go.
Will Atkinson surged into the penalty area, only to be brought down by Liam Hogan, and Corr confidently stepped up to seal the three points.
Phil Brown was delighted with his side’s battling qualities as they extended their unbeaten run in League 2 to five games. He said: “I thought both teams played some really good football but we won the battle. We showed tremendous battling qualities and deserved to win the game.
“We worked hard all over the pitch and to make it three clean sheets and three wins in a row is excellent. I’m chuffed for the players.
“The system seems to be working. I’ve used it throughout my management career but everyone seems to have clicked with it and it’s bringing the best out of players.
“Barry Corr got man of the match for his two goals, but I honestly think anyone could have won it this evening, such was the level of performance.”
Brown says confidence is flowing back through his side following the three straight wins, but they will work hard to learn from the lessons earlier in the season.
“You have to remember we won our first three games and then got beat by a 95th minute winner and that knocked us sideways a bit,” he said.
“We’ll be doing our best to make sure that doesn’t happen again, but at the moment we’re riding high and playing some really good football.
“The loan signings have really helped. Rob did excellently again this evening and Cauley is getting better game by game."
Fleetwood started the game well and David Ball forced home goalkeeper Daniel Bentley into a smart stop from 25 yards. Corr bundled Kevan Hurst's deep cross in with 21 minutes on the clock to send the Blues 1-0 up.
As Fleetwood searched for an equaliser, Antoni Sarcevic struck the woodwork with a free-kick and the 21-year-old went close again just before the break, but lashed an effort straight at Bentley.
Corr almost doubled the hosts' lead from another Hurst cross, but headed agonisingly wide, although he would find the net again with 10 minutes to go.
Will Atkinson surged into the penalty area, only to be brought down by Liam Hogan, and Corr confidently stepped up to seal the three points.
Phil Brown was delighted with his side’s battling qualities as they extended their unbeaten run in League 2 to five games. He said: “I thought both teams played some really good football but we won the battle. We showed tremendous battling qualities and deserved to win the game.
“We worked hard all over the pitch and to make it three clean sheets and three wins in a row is excellent. I’m chuffed for the players.
“The system seems to be working. I’ve used it throughout my management career but everyone seems to have clicked with it and it’s bringing the best out of players.
“Barry Corr got man of the match for his two goals, but I honestly think anyone could have won it this evening, such was the level of performance.”
Brown says confidence is flowing back through his side following the three straight wins, but they will work hard to learn from the lessons earlier in the season.
“You have to remember we won our first three games and then got beat by a 95th minute winner and that knocked us sideways a bit,” he said.
“We’ll be doing our best to make sure that doesn’t happen again, but at the moment we’re riding high and playing some really good football.
“The loan signings have really helped. Rob did excellently again this evening and Cauley is getting better game by game."