SOUTHEND United’s left-back Ben Coker was happy to keep the Shrimpers’ critical supporters quiet with a stunning match-winning strike against Scunthorpe at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Coker’s fine effort, 15 minutes from time, secured a 2-1 triumph for Phil Brown’s side.

But Blues were forced to overcome a slow start, which frustrated a section of their fans, to come out on top.

And Coker remains baffled by how quickly the supporters can turn on their team.

“I really don’t know why the fans get on our back if I’m honest and they’ve got to get behind us a lot more,” said the 25-year-old defender.

“We went a goal down but that’s going to happen at times.

“We’ve just been promoted to this league and we’ve been doing really well to adapt to it so quickly.

“But if we go 1-0 down or give the ball away the fans just start moaning and I just don’t understand it.

“There are a certain section of fans who are really good and a certain section of fans who aren’t.

“But if you look at our home form I don’t think it’s actually as bad as everyone thinks.”

Coker’s fine effort, which came after captain Michael Timlin had earlier cancelled out Gary McSheffrey’s opener for Scunthorpe, handed Blues their second home victory of the season as they moved up to 13th in the League One standings.

And Coker, who returned to the team after recovering from a hamstring injury, was full of smiles at the final whistle.

“It was a perfect day to be fair,” said the left-back.

“I couldn’t have asked for much more and the boys were brilliant.

“Going down 1-0 was a shock but we came back really well and finished the game off really professionally.”

Coker’s effort also made it back to back wins for Blues for the first time this season.

But the defender was quick to praise Noel Hunt’s part in the goal and the difference the striker made after coming off the bench.

“Hunty came on and I thought he really made an impact on the game,” said Coker.

“He said to me after that he owed me because I had stuck a couple on his head and it was a great ball from him.

“I wasn’t sure whether to pass or not but I went for goal in the end and was really happy to score.

“It’s two in a row for us now but we want to push on to get into a great position.”