SOUTHEND United’s assistant manager Dave Penney feels the competitiveness of Monday’s win at lowly Hartlepool will ensure the Shrimpers do not take victory for granted against Tranmere Rovers tomorrow.

Tranmere are currently second from bottom in the League Two table.

But Penney believes they will still be tough to beat at Roots Hall this weekend.

“The Hartlepool game was the toughest we’ve had this season and they are only one place higher up the league than Tranmere so we know what we’re in for and that’s a very hard game,” said Penney.

“Hartlepool were up for it, their fans were up for it too and Ronnie Moore had them really motivated.

“Tranmere’s manager Micky Adams has the same experience as Ronnie so he will have them up for it and it will be a battle again.”

Blues head in to the game sitting fifth in the standings, five points below third placed Wycombe Wanderers with a game in a hand.

And Penney is keen to keep the pressure on the teams above them in the table.

“We’re looking up not down and we’re looking to catch people up,” said the 50-year-old.

“The games are running out but all we can do is try to win Saturday and then see where that takes us.

“We want to get as many points as we can as quickly as we can and we do feel it’s still all to play for.”

The Shrimpers have also been boosted by the return of Kevan Hurst from a hamstring injury.

The winger missed the last two matches with the injury he picked up in the 0-0 draw with Cambridge United towards the end of March.

But he is now back in contention.

“Kevan has been training all week and he’s come back into the group again,” Penney added.