FRANCK Moussa bagged a brace as Blues cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory at Thurrock on Saturday.

The Belgian midfielder, who was joined on the score-sheet by Lee Barnard and Stuart O'Keefe, twice hit the back of the net at Ship Lane.

And he is aiming to make the most of his opportunities to impress during pre-season.

"We all know that the games are about getting fit but at the same time when you're out there you want to impress the manager and do the best you can to get into his team," said Moussa.

"It's the same for everyone but Saturday was a good, enjoyable game for us and I think it did us a lot of good."

Moussa opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a well struck shot from 25 yards which took a deflection before flying past Thurrock keeper Shane Herbert.

Eight minutes later Barnard doubled his side's lead with a neat right foot shot from 12 yards and just before the break Moussa made it 3-0 with an assured finish from close range.

Southend, who fielded former Peterborough defender Danny Blanchett at left back, completed the scoring with the best goal of the game in the 55th minute when O'Keefe superbly netted via underside the crossbar from 20 yards.

Southend: Mildenhall, Forshaw, Sankofa, Barrett, Blanchett, Scannell (Ademeno 60), Bailey, Moussa, O'Keefe (Jones 60), Barnard, Walker (Henry 80).