SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell revealed Simon Cox bagged a brace in the 6-2 victory at Crawley Town despite not being well.

Cox put Blues in front before also making it 3-2 at the start of extra time.

But the striker had been struggling with an illness in the build up to the FA Cup first round replay.

"Simon's been struggling and he’s suffering from a cold," said Powell.

"That's why as soon as he scored his second we took him off.

"He wasn’t too great yesterday but I told him we needed him and I’m pleased he’s got the two goals because he hadn’t scored for a little while.

"That will get his confidence up and hopefully he can carry on scoring when we play AFC Wimbledon on Saturday now."