SOUTHEND United boss Phil Brown insists his side are the form team heading into the play-offs, despite their final day heartbreak at Morecambe.

The Shrimpers painfully missed out on automatic promotion after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the Globe Arena last weekend.

But Brown feels Blues are well placed to bounce back.

“I still feel as though we are entering the play-offs as the form team and have that momentum behind us that you need,” said the 55-year-old.

“Saturday was disappointing with so much at stake but we’ve got 21 points from the last 24 on offer and we’ve got seven clean sheets in eight games which is phenomenal really.

“And we can be confident going into the games against Stevenage even though we know they will be difficult because they’re a tough team to play.”

Blues ended the season fifth in the League Two table, one place higher than Stevenage.

And Brown has been pleased by the reaction he has seen from his side since missing out on a top three finish.

“We’ve had a good week in training and we’re ready to go again now,” said the 55-year-old.

“We spoke together as a group on Monday about the Morecambe disappointment but I guess the odds were always against us to make it eight wins a row.

“Maybe the previous seven games caught up with us a bit as well but it’s in the past now anyway.

“We still have another chance and it’s one we are desperate to take.”