MARK Oxley is determined to maintain the upward trend in his and Southend United’s season.

The Shrimpers shot-stopper has kept two clean sheets in his last three outings and also made a last gasp penalty save in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Blackpool.

His displays have helped Blues secure four wins in succession.

And Oxley is keen to keep the good run going when Phil Brown’s side visit Doncaster Rovers this weekend.

“We’ve had a really good week but we can’t rest on that now and we have to keep it going,” said the 27-year-old.

“We have to keep working hard in training and in the matches and if we do that I’m sure the right results will come our way.

“I always thought things would turn around for us and it’s good it’s started to happen but we have to make sure it continues.”

Blues had gone nine games without a victory before embarking on their winning run, which has seen Oxley take centre stage.

The former Hibernian goalkeeper made some fine saves in a 1-0 win against AFC Wimbledon before he dramatically denied Jimmy Ryan from the penalty spot in the Shrimpers’ 2-1 win against Blackpool.

“It was pretty mad towards the end on Saturday,” said Oxley.

“The boys were putting everything on the line late on and in the 94th minute after they got a penalty you do fear the worse.

“But that kind of situation is the joy of being a goalkeeper.

“Sometimes you’re the villain, so I was delighted to save it and get us the win.”

The save was Oxley’s third in succession from the penalty spot.

And he will continue to study penalty takers in the build-up to matches, despite knowing it may not make too much difference.

“I’ll watch videos with the goalkeeping coach Lee (Harrison) in the build-up to games and we’ll do our homework,” said Oxley.

“But in the last minute the pressure is on and I don’t think we even looked at him going the way he did.

“It’s the luck of the draw at the end of the day but it was just great to get the win.”

Blues followed that up with a narrow 1-0 win against Reading under-23s in the Checkatrade Trophy.

And Oxley was delighted to have secured another clean sheet.

“Without the ball we were fantastic all over the pitch and it was good to keep them out because I thought they were a decent side,” said the goalkeeper.

“It was important we continued the winning momentum ahead of the game at Doncaster too, so it was another good win.”