SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown expects tomorrow’s clash at Gillingham to be played like a local derby.

Shrimpers fans have already snapped up 1,400 tickets for the showdown at the Priestfield Stadium.

And Brown believes it will be a full-blooded contest.

“This is a game which I expect to be played like a local derby,” said the Blues boss.

“Our fans will be travelling in big numbers and I’m sure there’s going to be a really good atmosphere inside the ground.

“Gillingham’s fans also like to get at you and it’s certainly not an easy place to go but we’re looking forward to it.”

Last season, the Shrimpers were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Gills in a game marred by a number of controversial refereeing decisions.

But Brown has taken steps to avoid a repeat performance.

“Last year when we went there we had a referee who looked like he had just left school and he made some strange calls,” said the Blues boss.

“It was a poor decision by Dave Allison (from the Professional Game Match Official Board) to put him in charge of the game but he didn’t realise how a match between Southend and Gillingham is played.

“He would have looked at it, seen we are in different counties with the Thames between us and not known how competitive the games are.

“But I’ve marked his card and hopefully it won’t happen again this year because Dave will know now this is a big game.”

The experienced Dean Whitestone, who has been refereeing in the Football League since 2005, will take charge of the game this weekend.

And Brown feels Blues could not be heading into the game in better shape.

“It’s at this time of the year the pressure starts to get cranked up because we’re playing so well at the moment that everyone is really looking forward to the games,” said the 57-year-old.

“It’s two defeats in 21 and we’re on a great run.”

The Shrimpers head into the game sitting fifth in the table, ahead of the Gills in 18th.