TOMORROW’S match at Grimsby Town will bring back painful memories for Southend United supporters.

For the last time Blues lined up at Blundell Park, automatic promotion was at stake on the final day of the 2004/2005 season.

And a 1-1 draw which saw the Shrimpers miss out on third place to Swansea City still rankles with then manager Steve Tilson as the clash came to a controversial conclusion.

“I remember the referee stopping the game early with hardly any injury time because their fans were right on the side of the pitch,” said Tilson.

“It killed us really because we were on top and we needed just one more goal to win the game and promotion but he just cut it short.

“It was tough to take at the time and we just missed out to Swansea who I’m pretty sure won at Bury that day to go above us.

“It was a very long trip home that day but thankfully it all worked out in the end because we went up via the play-offs and I think the pain of that day would really have spurred the group on because of how close everyone was.”

Back then Blues were fighting to get out of League Two but now they are scrapping to stay in and tomorrow’s match with Grimsby again takes on huge significance.

The Mariners sit just one point and one place above the Shrimpers after a wretched run of results which has seen them win just one of their last 11 matches.

In contrast the Shrimpers have triumphed in four of their last six games and Tilson believes Mark Molesley’s side will now stay up this season.

“I said to a couple of people three or four weeks ago that Southend would stay up and I still believe they will,” said Tilson.

“They’ve made a few more signings and the squad is much stronger now.

“Tomorrow is a big game and I do fancy Southend to go there and win.

“Is it bigger than the game we had? I’d said no because there’s still more than half the season to go but of course it’s still really important.”

The Shrimpers will again be calling upon the services of the experienced Alan McCormack this weekend.

And the influential midfielder was also part of Tilson’s team which just missed out against the Mariners 16 years ago.

McCormack returned to Roots Hall at the start of the season for his third spell with the Shrimpers and Tilson feels the 36-year-old is still a key player for the club.

“Macca coming in with his leadership and will to win makes a difference because he’s a great character,” said Tilson.

“He won’t be scared to tell them what to do and I think he’s massive for Southend at the moment.

“They’re quite a young side on the whole and don’t have many leaders but that’s exactly what Macca is.

“He’s one that been around the block, he’s had a fantastic career and got great experience.

“A lot of the youngsters will look up to him and I really think he’s huge for Southend right now.”