CHELTENHAM Town boss Michael Duff is backing Southend United to avoid relegation this season.

The Robins beat Blues 1-0 at Whaddon Road tonight to keep Mark Molesley’s team 22nd in the League Two table.

But Duff is certain the Shrimpers will work their way out of trouble.

"Southend are in a false position and they are a totally different team to when we last played them," said Duff.

"Mark has done a great job, particularly since mid-December.

"They'll be more than safe in my opinion because I think they are a good team."

Cheltenham's win took them top of the League Two table.

And Duff was pleased with the display.

"I thought that was a really good performance because it had a bit of everything: composure, some good football, really good organisation as well towards the end,” Duff said.

“Without scoring three or four, I was really pleased with the performance.

“That’s a really tough game because Southend have conceded two in five against some of the real form teams in the league.

“They set up with 4-5-1 to block it up but we stayed patient, we didn’t rush or start launching it.

“We probed and there was a bit of quality to win the penalty and we saw out the game really well without sitting in, we created some really good chances.”