SIMON Cox insisted Southend United’s point against Portsmouth meant more to him than his hat-trick.

Cox netted a trio of goals to help the Shrimpers fight back from 3-0 down to secure a 3-3 draw at Roots Hall. But the in-form forward took most satisfaction from the final score-line.

“The hat-trick is nice for me personally but to come from three goals down against a team who will be up there at the end of the season is even more pleasing,” said Cox, who has now scored 15 goals this season.

“It’s massive for us, especially after the week we’ve had.

“To show the belief and desire we did shows the belief we have in the dressing room.”

However, things did not look good early on as Portsmouth raced into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 31 minutes. And, at that point, Cox was fearing the worse.

“After that start you’re thinking please don’t be four, five or six,” said Cox.

“We had to show some character.

“We got a goal back and at half-time we were saying we had to believe otherwise there was no point going out for the second half. “

Cox bagged a penalty to make it 3-2 before netting a fantastic goal three minutes from time to ensure the Shrimpers picked up a point. And the striker is determined to build on the fight-back.

“Hopefully we can get some momentum from this,” said Cox, whose previous hat-trick had come for West Bromwich Albion back in 2012.

“Not many teams will do that against a team like Portsmouth so we have to take plenty of belief from this.”

Cox will also be boosted by his own efforts, which saw him add to his collection of match-balls.

“I’ve got five hat-tricks now and all of the match-balls are in perspex boxes with the teams on, the date and crowd,” said Cox.

“They’re all nicely packaged away and this one will be too.”

Saturday’s game was also screened live on Sky Sports and Cox was happy to show the presenters he still has plenty left to give.

“I think there’s a Sky reporter who doesn’t really like me and he called me a veteran at 31,” laughed Cox.

“But I don’t mind being a veteran if I perform like that.”