SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell was happy to see in the New Year ‘celebrating like an idiot’ following the Shrimpers’ 2-0 win against Gillingham at Roots Hall.

Powell charged up the touchline in jubilation when Taylor Moore’s fired home just seconds after the Gills insisted Connor Ogilvie’s effort had crossed the goal-line.

But the Shrimpers boss feared his joy may be short-lived.

“I celebrated like an idiot and when I turned back round I suddenly thought I really hope he hasn’t given the goal to them because I’m going to look stupid but thankfully he didn’t and what a way to start 2019,” said Powell.

“It was a pantomime at the end.

“We lost Theo (Robinson) to a red card and I didn’t think that was worthy of another yellow card.

“We had to hang in and there was a scramble at the end.

“Nathan Bishop, who had an outstanding day, made a great save and I asked the linesman at the end who said the whole ball hadn’t crossed the line.

“If I’m in Steve Lovell’s shoes I would want it given but you play to the whistle and we did exactly that.”

Moore’s late goal, which was the first of his career, sealed victory for the Shrimpers in their first outing of 2019.

Blues had earlier broken the deadlock in the first half with a free-kick from captain Sam Mantom.

And Powell was thrilled to see his side dig deep to secure all three points.

“It’s a good win and the players gave it their all despite some of them running on empty towards the end,” said the Shrimpers chief, whose team are now ninth in the table.

“It’s been a testing period but this is a good win and it’s one we want to build on now with two more home games coming up, starting with Portsmouth in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday.

“But we will go into that on a high after this win.”