SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown was a happy man after seeing his side get back to winning ways at struggling Coventry City last night.

Goals from Nile Ranger and Ryan Leonard ended the Shrimpers’ three-match winless streak and moved them back to within a point of the League One play-offs with a 2-0 victory.

And Brown, who opted to make five changes to his starting line-up at the Ricoh Arena, was delighted to get Blues back on track.

“It was the perfect response to Saturday and that unacceptable first-half performance we had at Bristol Rovers,” said the Southend chief.

“Sparks flew at the end of that game, we had to put it right and we have done.

“From minute one to minute 93 we did what we had to and what we spoke about doing.

“It was a good squad performance and we proved the depth we have here with the changes we made.

“We have to make sure we keep this energy in the team and maybe we might have to look at making changes again against Walsall on Saturday.

“Ryan Leonard has run through a brick wall for the team again and has been rewarded with a goal and a win.

“But he is now wearing tape on his hamstrings to get through games and it’s something we will need to keep an eye on.

Blues opened the scoring after just two minutes against bottom of the table Coventry with the recalled Ranger firing home from close range after being teed up by Robinson.

The impressive Leonard then completed the scoring with a deflected effort from long range.