SOUTHEND United’s promising midfielder Joe Bedford has warned the Shrimpers against being complacent in tonight’s FA Youth Cup clash at Barton Rovers.

Bedford caught the eye as Blues battered Barton 6-1 in the first round clash on his 18th birthday at the start of the month.

But the match now has to be replayed after the Shrimpers fielded an under-age player.

And Bedford has told his team-mates not to take another victory for granted.

“I’ve had experiences on tours when we’ve beaten teams and then lost to them in the final so we won’t be complacent when we go back to Barton,” said the Upminster based youngster.

“We know it’s going to be difficult but we also know we have the strength in the team to be able to get the right result.”

The winner of tonight’s tie will travel to Newport County in the second round of the competition.

And whoever advances from that will take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

However, Bedford is not thinking beyond this evening’s encounter against the Southern League side.

“We need to go with the same mind-set as last time and we’re going there to get the job done,” said the midfielder.

“We’re not thinking about any further rounds at this stage because we have to make sure we win this one first.”

But Blues were rarely troubled during the original game at Barton.

And it was a contest Bedford relished being a part of.

“It was a good game last time,” said the teenager.

“The atmosphere and the build up was excellent and so was the game in general.

“We dominated the first half but in the second we maybe took our foot off the gas which we seem to be doing quite a bit just lately.

“We can’t afford to be doing that again but this is a competition which has a real buzz around it for us so we all want to do as well as we can.”

Bedford is particularly keen to impress for Blues having already been with the club for 10 seasons.

And he is also keen to win money off Shrimpers’ first team left-back Ben Coker by hitting the back of the net tonight.

“I clean Ben’s boots and he said he would give me some money if I scored in the FA Youth Cup,” said Bedford.

“I have another chance to do it tonight now but obviously it’s getting the win which matters the most.”

Southend will also be heading into the game in good form having been beaten just twice in the league so far this season.

However, youth team chief Ricky Duncan is expecting a tricky contest with Barton.

“Barton will know all about us now so there will be no surprises from their point of view,” said Duncan.

“That makes the game harder but if we can play like we did in the first half against Northampton on Saturday then we will have enough to go through.”

Blues have no new injury concerns for tonight’s clash, which kicks off at 7.45pm, but captain Sonny Coutts will miss out because of a knee problem.