SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown admitted his side were lucky to see off AFC Wimbledon 1-0.

Jason Demetriou’s deflected effort on the hour mark made it back to back wins for the Shrimpers.

But Brown felt Southend were fortunate to pick up all three points at Roots Hall.

“It’s the luckiest 1-0 I’ve had but it’s about time we had some luck,” said Brown.

“I’m delighted we’ve won and got back to back wins and we’re looking onwards and upwards in a much better frame of mind.

“The level of performance with the ball compared to Fleetwood on Saturday was chalk and cheese.

“Wimbledon came here to frustrate but when they smelt we weren’t at it they really started to play and cause us problems.

“The discipline annoyed me in the first half and we gave away silly free-kicks.

“I had a real go at them at half-time but although it’s good sign to win 1-0 when we play poorly I don’t want to keep playing poorly.”

Demetriou’s goal – which clinched the three points for the Shrimpers – was his second in three games – and saw him earn praise from Brown.

“JD is in a rich vein of form, he’s still arguing with Simon Cox about the goal at Gillingham and if he gets that he’s our leading scorer with three,” said Brown.

“It’s won us the game but maybe I should have made changes because I was fearful of this kind of performance.

“We weren’t right in training but at the end of the day we’ve got the win and that’s all that matters.

“But ideally I want to entertain and I want people to be professional in their preparation because we weren’t quite at it on Monday.

“But we need to be push on and we have to be bang at it against Blackpool.”

The victory also moved Blues up to 14th in the League One standings.