SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown heaped praise on match winner David Worrall after his side’s crucial 1-0 win at Bury tonight.

Twenty four years since Ian Benjamin’s legendary effort secured promotion into the old Division Two, the Shrimpers grabbed another hugely significant victory at Gigg Lane to move level on points with third placed Wycombe Wanderers.

And Brown was thrilled to see Worrall fire home the only goal of the game on his return to the Shakers, after the winger tragically saw his baby boy Noah pass away following his premature birth.

“You have to take you hat off to Dave Worrall,” said Brown.

“He’s been through the mill just recently with his baby boy being born prematurely and then dying 45 minutes after he was born.

“That’s the main reason he’s been missing just lately but every single one of us is right behind him and for him to come here and get the only goal against the former team says a lot about his character.”

Worrall’s strike, which came in the 74th minute, made it six wins in a row for the Shrimpers.

And Brown was thrilled to keep his side’s good run going as they jumped above Bury to move into fourth place.

“It’s six straight wins for us now and seven clean sheets and it’s a fantastic effort to win here,” said the 55-year-old.

“Bury were by the better team in the first half and I really had to get into the team at half-time.

“I had to remind them how important this game was and I think we saw the difference in the second half.

“They really stood up to the task to get a great win.

“But fans were also superb and to have more than 500 of them here made a massive difference.”

Blues now host Luton Town on Saturday before visiting Morecambe on the final day of the League Two season.