DOUGIE Freedman fired Southend United to a vital 1-0 victory over Bristol Rovers on Saturday - only hours after he was expecting not to play.

The Scotsman was preparing himself for an afternoon on the sidelines with a thigh strain before a late request from manager Steve Tilson led to him returning to action ahead of schedule.

And, despite not being fully fit, Freedman was able to find the back of net to secure a return to winning ways for the Shrimpers.

“At the start of the week I certainly didn’t expect to be playing and I’ve hardly trained at all,” said the 34-year-old who headed home a well-worked goal midway through the second half.

“I trained on Friday at about 50 per cent but with the injury troubles we have to forwards the manager asked me to give it a go so that’s what I did and I’m just delighted we got the three points.”

Freedman confessed to still being only around 90 per cent fit but Tilson needed him to play as James Walker, Alex Revell and Francis Laurent are all sidelined and Lee Barnard is still being troubled by a hip problem.

But he was able to figure and succeed after working hard with the club’s medical staff.

“I wouldn’t have been able to play if it wasn’t for them,” confessed Freedman.

“The work I’ve done with our fitness coach, Laurence Bloom, has been great and he’s really been looking after me.

“We’ve been using scientific ways to keep me fit – using the bikes and being in the pool – and that’s the reason I could get through today.

“And I’m just delighted we won.”

Freedman played down his own part in the triumph and was just relieved to have helped the Shrimpers get back on track after their recent poor form which had seen them win just one of their last 13 league games.

“I’m experienced enough to not get too excited when I score or too down when I don’t and I’m just glad we’ve won,” he said.

“I think we’ve let ourselves down at times lately but if you work hard and show commitment and desire then you always have a chance and that’s what we did against Bristol Rovers.”

The victory moved Blues up to 13th in the League One table and delighted manager Steve Tilson.

“The display was full of passion and I think we could’ve won by a few more in the end,” he said.

“I thought the fans were fantastic in getting right behind us from the start and hopefully we can go on from here and build on this result – starting with tomorrow’s game against Scunthorpe.”