SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown felt the Shrimpers' first 45 minutes of their 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers was his best since taking charge.

Brown has bossed 218 games since arriving at Roots Hall in March 2013.

But the 58-year-old insisted Saturday’s first half showing was the best he had seen from Blues.

“It was probably the best first half performance I’ve seen since being at the football club,” said Brown.

“I was stepping back in amazement because I hadn’t seen any of that quality in pre-season.

“It was great and so was the resilience we showed in the second half when we had our backs to the wall for 10 or 15 minutes.

“It was a good team performance.”

Blues went in front midway through the second half when Ryan Leonard volleyed them in front.

And Brown was delighted to see the midfielder hit the back of the net following a summer of speculation surrounding his future after Millwall and Sheffield United both had £500,000 bids turned down.

“Lenny’s had a turbulent summer off the field of play but on it he’s shown a level of professionalism which everyone has now seen,” said Brown.

“I’m pleased he got the goal but this isn’t going to go away because the transfer window is still open.

“But he shown what he can do again and show have the team, even when we’re without the likes of Anthony Wordsworth, Michael Turner, Nile Ranger and Ben Coker.”

Rob Kiernan was also not fit enough to start following his arrival from Rangers but Brown was full of praise for how John White performed in his place.

“ John played like he had been a centre back all his career,” added Brown.