SOUTHEND United's 1-0 win against Blackpool on Saturday may not have been the prettiest of victories but it could end up being one of the most important.

A game played in difficult blustery conditions seemed destined to end in a goalless draw until Adam Thompson netted 14 minutes from time.

And the close range header secured a return to winning ways for the Shrimpers who had taken just three points from the previous 12 on offer during a four match winless streak in the league.

Blues had let leads slip in their previous three outings but were able to shut out their fellow Seasiders at the weekend to get their season back on track.

However, the victory was far from straight forward as Will Atkinson was forced to make a fine goal-line clearance, via the underside of the crossbar, to stop Andy Little scoring while Mark Cullen and Tom Aldred also wasted good chances to score.

At the other end of the field, Kevan Hurst hesitated when presented with the Shrimpers' clearest chances in front of goal during the opening 45 minutes.

But the missed opportunities were not to prove costly this time around as Thompson popped up to bag his first ever Blues goal.

His close range header handed Phil Brown's side all three points and also provided the best feel-good story of the season so far.

The likeable defender dislocated his shoulder towards the end of the previous campaign and spent six months forcing his way back to full fitness before having to wait a further four weeks for a first team recall.

But the 23-year-old has now been handed an opportunity to impress at the heart of the back four and, in just his third game back at the weekend, he ended a four year wait for a goal.

Thompson started and finished the move which ended in him converting an excellent left wing cross from David Worrall.

The header also enabled boss Brown to get one over on his opposite number in the Blackpool dug-out, Neil McDonald, who he worked alongside for several seasons in the coaching set up at Bolton Wanderers.

The victory moved the Shrimpers up to 10th in the League One table, just three points below the play-off positions ahead of another hectic and important week.

Tomorrow night sees Blues making the long trip to Oldham Athletic before they host fourth placed Wigan Athletic at Roots Hall on Saturday in another key clash.

Southend will now be heading into the games with renewed confidence and vigour after their win at the weekend, which again showed the spirit in the side.

In truth, the contest often lacked quality - especially in the final third for both sets of teams in the swirling wind.

But, Blues continued to push forward and were eventually rewarded when Thompson nodded home Southend's first goal in the second half for eight games.

That heaped further misery on crisis club Blackpool who have now suffered six successive defeats and sit second from bottom in the standings.

Just four years ago, the Tangerines were fighting for survival in the Premier League but their problems show no stopping at this stage.

Not so long ago, Blues also faced extreme difficulties both on and off the pitch and were languishing in League Two in serious need of a rebuild.

However, slowly but surely the Shrimpers have now been able to gather some forward momentum.

And, although much tougher tests will soon lie in store, Saturday's much needed victory was another step in the right direction.