SOUTHEND United's Ryan Cresswell is aiming to stay as the country's top scoring defender this season.

The Blues centre-back began his side's dramatic late fight-back in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Bradford City by bagging his seventh goal of the campaign.

And Cresswell is keen to remain ahead of his defensive rivals in the scoring charts.

“I keep an eye on the statistics and I'm the top scoring defender in the country right now and that would be nice to stay there for the whole season,” said Cresswell.

“It was nice to get another goal against Bradford, especially as it helped us fight back to get a point.

“But this is already the best goalscoring season I've ever had and it would be great if I was able to get to double figures.”

Cresswell headed home a right wing corner from Kevan Hurst in the 80th minute against the Bantams at Roots Hall.

He was then followed on to the score-sheet by striker Gavin Tomlin who netted an injury time equaliser for Blues.

And Cresswell felt the late fight back again showed the spirit in the Southend side.

“We have a never say die attitude and that was evident out there again,” said the 24-year-old.

“When I got my goal we were running back to the half-way line shouting come on we can still win this.

“The lads deserve real credit for not giving in and it was fantastic to get a point.

“We obviously wanted to win the game but when you're losing 2-0 with 10 minutes to go I think you have to be happy with a draw.”

Cresswell now wants Blues to follow that up with a win against Chesterfield at Roots Hall on Friday.

And he is keen to get revenge on Spireites boss Paul Cook after he led Accrington Stanley to victory over Paul Sturrock's side on the opening day of the League Two season.

“Their manager was in charge of the Accrington team that beat us so he will feel like he knows what to do to get the better of us,” said Cresswell.

“We need to go and prove him wrong though and nullify what they're good at to enable us to get on top and win the game.”