Persistence pays off for Southend United's Britt Assombalonga with goal against Port Vale (From Echo)

Persistence pays off for Southend United's Britt Assombalonga with goal against Port Vale

9:39pm Sunday 10th March 2013 in Sport By Chris Phillips

BRITT Assombalonga was thrilled to see his persistence pay off with a goal in Southend United's 2-1 win at Port Vale.

The on loan Watford striker failed to convert two good chances before finally firing home midway through the first half But he always remained confident of hitting the back of the net.

“I had a couple of chances but I always knew I'd get more and I was sure I'd put one of them away,” said Assombalonga, who has now scored 14 times for Blues this season.

“I pleased to get the goal because it put us 2-0 up and helped get a big win against the team second in table.

“It's given us a big boost and it also tells the teams above us that we're coming for them.”

Eighth placed Blues are now five points behind the play-offs positions and a fine display from Assombalonga at Vale Park helped to narrow that gap, which had been seven points before kick off.

The 20-year-old terrorised Vale's sluggish defending and he felt the flexible formation used by Southend enabled that to happen.

“I thought the way we lined up worked well and caused them problems,” said Assombalonga.

“It was 4-5-1 but also went to 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 and it gave their defence plenty to be thinking about.

“We also worked hard to keep our shape and it was good to get the win in Graham Coughlan's first game in charge.”

Coughlan stood in for manager Paul Sturrock, who missed the match with a leg infection.

And the striker hoped the victory would also lift Sturrock's spirits.

“We're all in this together so it was good to get a win for Cocko and also the manager who I'm sure is very pleased we won,” said Assombalonga.

“It was just the result we needed but now we have to improve our home form and get more points in the games we have coming up to keep alive our chance of making the play offs.”