ADAM Barrett will use the pain of 10 years ago to stop Southend United taking automatic promotion for granted after their 1-0 win at Luton Town on Saturday.

The Shrimpers’ seventh win in succession moved them up to third in the League Two standings, two points clear of fourth placed Bury with just one game to go against Morecambe this weekend.

But Barrett knows only too well how things can change on the final day of the season after painfully missing out on a top three finish with Blues back in 2005.

“I remember that Grimsby game and it was a horrible feeling sitting in that dressing room after the final whistle,” said the popular centre-back.

“We drew the game and at one point we thought that was going to be enough but the other results went against us and it was hard to take.

“We regrouped well to go up in the play-offs but I don’t want to go through the pain of that again.

“We know we’re in for a tough game at Morecambe but we’ve done unbelievably well to put this situation in our own hands and now we want to finish the job off.”

Barrett produced another outstanding display in defence alongside Cian Bolger to help the Shrimpers secure a 1-0 win against the Hatters.

The centre-back pairing also kept the club’s eighth clean sheet in succession.

And Barrett felt the victory was down to Blues’ fighting spirit after they came out on top despite having Ben Coker sent off midway through the second half.

“Even when Ben went off I still fancied us to get a chance because we were creating things and we have great character,” said the 35-year-old.

“We fight for each other, we’ve got that never say die attitude, we’re strong and resilient and the supporters were just unbelievable in cheering us on again too.”

As a result, the Shrimpers were able to come out on top, with Michael Timlin bagging a bizarre winning goal nine minutes from time.

But Barrett revealed he was about to give the midfielder a rollicking for not passing until he realised the shot had somehow hit the back of the net.

“I was actually going to have a go at Tims because I had made a run forward and was free in the box,” laughed Barrett.

“As he’s hit it I’ve turned round to shout at him only to then hear half a cheer so I looked over my shoulder and saw the ball in the net.

“I didn’t see what happened but it was a huge relief and little moments like that can win you promotion so hopefully that can be the case for us now.”