SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown felt this afternoon’s 2-0 win at Cambridge United was a game of two contrasting halves.

Goals from Marc-Antoine Fortune and Theo Robinson secured victory for the Shrimpers but only after a number of fine saves from goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

But Brown insisted the game was just another fitness exercise.

“I thought it was a game of two halves,” said Brown.

“We were very composed in the first half but in the second we looked a bit dishevelled but that was probably down to the changes and having so many young lads out there.

“I mixed things up from the starting line-up I’m thinking about for the Blackburn game and some people might question that but this was all about coming through unscathed, it wasn’t about the result.

“But we had a lot of young kids involved and I’m getting some good signs including Michael Klass, who excuse the pun, was different class.”

However, the Shrimpers were thankful for a fine display from Oxley who did well to deny Luke Berry from the penalty spot after Fortune had earlier opened the scoring with a spot-kick of his own.

“I wasn’t sure ours was a penalty and I wasn’t sure theirs was either but Ox made a great save and saved a couple of other efforts too,” said Brown.

“But Cambridge are a good side and will be there or thereabouts this season so this was a good test for us.”