SOUTHEND United are gunning for revenge at Crewe Alexandra this evening.

The Shrimpers have sunk to painful defeats in last two meetings against the Railwaymen, losing in the 2012 League Two play-offs and the 2013 JPT final at Wembley.

And Brown, who was in charge for the second of the setbacks, is keen to get his own back tonight.

“I’ve certainly got a score to settle with Crewe,” said the Blues boss.

“They beat us in my third game in charge when we went to Wembley.

“I remember that game as if it was yesterday and of course it still hurts.

“There probably aren’t too many players still around from that game - but the likes of Luke Prosser, Ryan Leonard, Michael Timlin and Kevan Hurst are still in the camp – and we all want the three points that are available tonight.”

Blues, who are 13th in the League One table, head into the game against second from bottom Crewe on the back of two successive wins.

And Brown insists it will be far more straight forward selecting his starting line-up tonight than the last time the Shrimpers did battle with Crewe, just 13 days after his appointment at Roots Hall.

“When we last played Crewe it was one of the most difficult team selections I’ve ever done,” said Brown.

“I went to see Paul Sturrock and he did a critique on the team, Graham Coughlan’s input was key and I had two games to go from too.

“There was a lot to think about and, in hindsight, I probably dropped a clanger when you think of the two central midfielders I went with.

“I went with a centre-back (Tamika Mkandawire) in there with Bilel Mohsni but it will certainly be a lot easier picking the team this time than it was going to Wembley.”

Shrimpers midfielder Leonard faced Crewe in the play-off semi-final before being left out of the squad for the JPT final.

And the 23-year-old would also love to get one over the Railwaymen tonight.

“It’s about time we put things right against them,” said Leonard.

“We lost to them in the play-offs which really hurt and in the JPT final as well.

“That day was a big low point for me, not being picked, so it would be nice to get a win and carry on this good run we’re on.”