IT is at this time of year when Christmas cards first begin to get sent.

And when Southend United manager Phil Brown gets around to writing his, there will be a new name at the top of the list – Northampton Town goalkeeper Jordan Archer.

The Cobblers custodian gifted Blues the lead at Roots Hall and it was ultimately his calamitous error which set up Southend’s 2-0 win.

The triumph was the Shrimpers' fourth league success in a row but up until Archer’s error it had been an afternoon of anxiety for Blues.

The visitors had clearly come to frustrate the home-side and were succeeding in that plan as clear cut goalscoring chances and any kind of excitement were in short supply until Archer intervened.

The on loan Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper was under no pressure at all when a mis-hit Myles Weston cross was weakly aimed in his direction.

So routine was the collection of the cross that Shrimpers striker Barry Corr had already turned away anticipating the resulting clearance.

But Archer somehow spilt the cross while under no pressure at all and, once Corr had latched on to the loose ball, he was upended by Archer.

The youngster was immediately sent off by referee Keith Stroud and, as soon as Corr slammed home the resulting penalty, the game was all but over.

David Worrall added a well taken second goal for the Shrimpers 10 minutes later to secure all three points and continue the club’s remarkable record during November.

Their last league defeat during the month before Christmas came at Tranmere Rovers back in 2009.

Since then, Blues have not been beaten in 20 outings during November, winning 14 and drawing six.

The latest memorable month saw the Shrimpers bounce back from a dismal October which saw them collect just two points from a possible 15.

The run of results has seen them rise up to fifth in the League Two standings and kept them in contention for a promotion push.

But there is still plenty to be worked on.

Goalscoring remains the biggest concern but Blues have now bagged seven goals in their last four league outings and, with Worrall in fine form, they are starting to look more dangerous in the final third.

Whether or not the improved strike ratio can be maintained and if anyone can get close to netting 15 to 20 goals remains to be seen.

That will still decide how successful the Shrimpers can be this season but their next two outings will give a clearer indication of their promotion chances.

For after a fortnight’s break due to their FA Cup exit at the hands of Chester, Blues visit table-topping Wycombe Wanderers before hosting fourth placed Burton Albion at Roots Hall ahead of a flurry of festive fixtures throughout the busy Christmas period.

Blues will be looking to stay in the top seven and, as they attempt to do, boss Brown will be faced with a huge selection headache.

His current back four includes Adam Thompson and John White playing out of position and at times they both looked uncomfortable against Northampton.

Despite those difficulties, the Shrimpers were able to keep a clean sheet and Brown must now decide whether or not that defence will be able to hold firm against far stronger sides.

Ahead of them, new loan signing John-Joe O’Toole will also be looking to prove his worth in the midfield.

O’Toole bizarrely made his Blues debut against his parent club, Northampton Town, at the weekend, but was not really involved too often.

He should improve the more he plays and Southend now have an embarrassment of riches in the midfield.

That strength in depth and an ability to grind out win bodes well for Blues.

But the number of goals and how they fare in far tougher tests will ultimately decide their destiny this season.