THERE has not been much for Southend United supporters to cheer in recent seasons.

But this weekend’s trip to Exeter City will bring back memories of far happier times.

Six years ago this weekend, the Shrimpers triumphed 1-0 at St James Park with Michael Timlin netting an injury time winner.

And it is a moment the former Blues midfielder can still vividly remember.

“I didn’t get many goals but in that period I started to notch a few,” said Timlin.

“With that one I think it was Payney (Jack Payne) who did well to set me up and I crept in by the penalty spot.

“If I’d gone any further I would probably have got a nosebleed but I just remember trying to get a good connection and luckily it went in.

“It was a great moment with the fans behind the goal and it’s one of the best photos from my time at Southend too.

“It’s me, Payney and Myles Weston running away and it’s incredible.”

But Timlin recalls more than just his goal.

“I can remember it being roasting hot and thinking in the warm up god I hope we don’t get run ragged here,” laughed Timlin.

“They were a good passing side but I could sense a nervous energy from Exeter which was a good thing.

“We were under pressure to go up but they were too as they were trying to get into the play-offs.”

Blues eventually went up via the play-offs themselves that season but are now back in League Two struggling to stay up.

The Shrimpers sit second from bottom, four points from safety with just five games to go.

But, despite Exeter sitting in eighth, Timlin feels the Grecians could be good opponents for Blues this weekend.

“Playing the teams who have nothing to play for are more of a problem at this stage of the season I always think,” said Timlin.

“The teams at the top and the teams at the bottom are both under pressure and that’s why I think the boys should be confident going into the game.

“Exeter will be nervous themselves and they will be under pressure too, especially after losing at Barrow on Tuesday.”

However, Blues are now running out of time to work their way out of trouble.

And, in a last ditch effort to try and secure survival, chairman Ron Martin opted to bring back Phil Brown as manager, someone Timlin knows well from his first spell in charge.

“With the gaffer coming back into the fold, he’s very experienced and would have been in these situations before,” said Timlin.

“He’s infectious and bubbly, he will take the problems on his shoulders and will get the boys going for sure.

“I think that’s what the boys need and you have to just focus on getting the performance right.

“After that Exeter game it made us believe we could go up but it’s all about confidence and Jesse Lingard is the perfect example of that right now.”

Blues’ players have seemed short of confidence for much of the season but Timlin is keen to see them produce one last push.

“The players have to stick together and embrace this challenge,” said Timlin.

“Everyone wrote them at the start of the season but they have five games left to give as much as they can to get as much as they can.

“But I think the boys could really do well in these remaining games if they spin it on its head instead of just looking at the negatives.

"I really hope they get out of it too."