SOUTHEND United may have to overcome many difficulties when they take on Capital One Cup giant-killers Shrewsbury Town at Roots Hall tomorrow.

But the weather is not likely to be one of them.

However, back in February 2005, it was a completely different story when snow memorably swept across the pitch.

Blues were still able to secure a narrow 1-0 win against the Shrews, with Freddy Eastwood heading home the only goal.

But that came after referee Joe Ross had brought the match to a halt and the then Shrimpers boss Steve Tilson recalls having to admit the club could not find an orange ball.

“The referee came over and told us he wanted the game to continue with an orange ball but we didn’t have one,” said Tilson.

“I remember telling him I had one in my garage at home but that it might take me a little while to go and get it!

“I was obviously worried it was going to get called off because we were winning and there wasn’t too long to go either.

“We were doing everything we could to keep the game on and Shrewsbury were doing everything they could to get it called off.

“I would have been doing exactly the same in their shoes but thankfully we got to the end of the game and we got the three points too.

“But not having an orange ball wasn’t the worst one because one game we didn’t have a pump.

“I forget who we were playing but the balls kept on getting kicked off the pitch because they were flat and there was nothing we could do about it.

“It was a bit embarrassing to tell you the truth and I wasn’t sure I even had one in my garage!”

Despite that lack of equipment, Blues continued to impress and, after building on the hard-fought win against Shrewsbury, Tilson’s side went on to win promotion via the League Two play-offs.

Eastwood proved to be the main man, scoring 24 goals.

And Tilson believes the current Shrimpers side can also go up this season, if they can find a regular goal-getter themselves.

“I don’t think there’s a lot in the league this season and if Southend can find someone to score them 15 to 20 goals then they will go up in my opinion,” said Tilson.

“Obviously Freddy made a huge difference to our team back then but Southend are doing well again now.

“They’ve had three great wins in a row against good sides you would also be expecting to be up there and they will be looking to make it four against Shrewsbury.

“Shrewsbury are always strong in League Two though so it should be a good game and I’m hoping to get along to watch.”

Tilson helped Blues secure a second successive promotion to work their way in to the Championship before well publicised financial problems led to two relegations as the club returned to the basement division.

Tilson was replaced by Paul Sturrock at Roots Hall in the summer of 2010 before he went on to boss both Lincoln City and Canvey Island.

He now enjoys helping to coach the successful C & K Basildon Ladies side and the football set up at Seevic College.

However, Tilson – who also played close to 300 games for Blues – still misses being a football manager.

“Of course I miss it and I do think about trying to get back involved again at times,” said Tilson.

“But I’m scared of it going wrong and finding myself out of work again because I couldn’t afford for that to happen.

“I’m enjoying what I do and the girls I hope to coach are a great group.

“They play at a good level and are good players too.

“It’s certainly not park football and we’re only three leagues below the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.

“We’ve won our first five games of the season so we’re going for promotion again this year and I love being a part of it.

“It’s really enjoyable and I think we have an orange ball as well!”