SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown was left exhausted after his side’s enthralling 3-1 win against Stevenage at Roots Hall tonight.

Blues fought hard to triumph in extra time, after Barry Corr had failed to score a stoppage time penalty.

And Brown was delighted to come out on top.

“It was just exhausting to watch if I’m honest but it was a great spectacle,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“It was about bottle in the end and I think people thought we might have bottled it when Barry missed the penalty but we maintained our focus.

“Going a goal behind got us going but Stevenage were a fair challenge and it made for a great game but we got there in the end and I think we deserved it too.”

Ryan Leonard, Stephen McLaughlin and Michael Timlin were all on target for Blues.

And Brown heaped praise on Timlin who lined up just four days after suffering 15 stitches on his forehead following a shocking clash of heads with Bira Dembele.

“For Michael Timlin to get the goal emphasises the commitment of this team and this is the bravest performance I’ve ever seen from a footballer,” said Brown.

“Tims is out of contract and I know other clubs want to sign him but I’ll be banging on the door of the chairman to make sure we keep him.

“But I’m not celebrating at the moment. There’s still one more big game to go and it’s going to be very tough against a very good Wycombe team.”