SUCH was the level of drama at the Kassam Stadium it somehow seemed quite fitting that Southend United manager Phil Brown ended the afternoon sitting alongside a former EastEnders actor.

Brown was controversially sent from the dug-out towards the end of the 3-2 win at Oxford United and ended up next to Terry Alderton in the stands.

But, even before that unusual ending to the encounter, there had already been more twists and turns than a week in Albert Square.

And, without wanting to sound too harsh, there was also more excitement packed in to Saturday’s game than in the previous month watching the Shrimpers.

After all, Blues headed to the home of the U’s having scored just two goals in their last five games.

Three of those encounters had also ended 0-0 so the manner of the match against the U’s was a complete contrast to what had gone before it.

The drama began before kick-off when the returning Adam Barrett was ruled out with a calf injury, but it did not end there.

Blues got back in to the game when David Worrall headed home to cancel out Callum O’Dowda’s opener but, with 33 minutes on the clock, came the only downer of the day – a red card to Gary Deegan.

The tigerish midfielder had already been booked when he launched in to needlessly strong challenge by the half-way line and was deservedly dismissed by referee Christopher Sarginson.

Without him the Shrimpers were up against it and their task became even harder when they went 2-1 down on the stroke of half-time.

At that stage, a Shrimpers victory seemed incredibly unlikely.

But Blues dug deep and displayed incredible character and fitness to secure what could well prove to be a season defining success.

The manner of the win will have boosted their belief and confidence but lessons do need to be learned if the victory is to be built on.

First of all, despite Saturday’s success with 10 men, Southend do need to improve their discipline.

Three red cards have now been shown to the Shrimpers in their last four games and there have been five dismissals in total this season.

Before the weekend, Blues had not won when down to 10 men, taking two points from a possible 12 and they cannot afford to keep handing their opponents a numerical advantage.

They got away with it at the weekend and that was largely down to an increased attacking intent.

The Shrimpers lined up with both their recent loan signings – Joe Pigott and Jake Cassidy – in attack while David Worrall also surged forward, along with Ryan Leonard who was given far more freedom to attack, until Deegan’s dismissal.

That led to Blues scoring more than one goal in a game for the first time since late November and it was just the second time they have scored three goals all season.

Being more attack minded may have left Southend open at the back and they uncharacteristically conceded two goals.

But the onus still needs to be on pushing men forward in a bid to get the goals and points they need to secure promotion.

The new acquisitions can help make that happen and their arrival also means there is now real competition for places in all areas of the team.

One of the fresh faces, Joe Pigott, bagged his first goal for the club during the win as Blues recorded their fifth victory in their last games against the U’s.

The manner of the latest triumph means the match will forever remain in Roots Hall folklore.

But the Shrimpers will now want to make it a game which is also remembered for changing the course of Southend’s season.