SOUTHEND United's Matt Harrold was unable to stop the Shrimpers reserves suffering a 3-1 defeat at Northampton Town yesterday.

The former Yeovil Town forward played the first 45 minutes at the Sixfields Stadium but could soon be figuring at the other end of the field.

For with Darryl Flahavan currently sidelined with a back injury the Shrimpers are short of goalkeeping cover.

And should anything happen to Steve Collis against Carlisle United this weekend it will be Harrold who pulls on the gloves.

"Paul Brush had a word with me before the match at Walsall and let me know that I would be going in goal if anything happen to Steve," said the front-runner.

"I haven't actually played in goal before but I'm quite willing to give it a go and I fancy myself coming out for the crosses.

"Obviously I hope it doesn't come to that but Steve has got a pair of gloves waiting for me if I do get forced to play in goal."

Despite his confidence, Harrold would much prefer to be picked in attack.

But he has no complaints at being left out of the side of the Shrimpers last two matches.

"It's really disappointing but I'm not going to start moaning about it all," said the 23-year-old.

"I'll keep working hard and it was good to get an outing in the reserves yesterday.

"I hadn't played for a while so I needed a run out for my fitness but it was a shame I couldn't get a goal or help the team get a better result."

The Cobblers opened the scoring through trialist Chris James in the 16th minute before Shaun Goodall made it 2-0 midway through the second half.

The Shrimpers did hit back through young midfielder Franck Moussa with 76 minutes on the clock but Northampton immediately responded with Goodall netting his second of the game to secure a 3-1 victory for his side.

Southend: N McDonald, Gilbert, Francis, Liptak, Wilson, Priest, Moussa, Lokando (Herd 78), Odhiambo, C MacDonald (Henry 69), Harrold (Ademeno 46)