SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown was pleased with the problems Blues posed showed during tonight's 3-2 defeat to Brentford.

The Shrimpers let slip a two goal against a young Bees side in a pre-season clash at Roots Hall.

But Brown still felt there were plenty of positives for his team to take from the warm up fixture.

"We gave a good account of ourselves and we were a threat for the majority of the game," aaid Brown.

"The result meant nothing to me and it never does in pre-season.

"We went 2-0 up against a decent side and Brentford only have two teams so some of those boys will be near enough playing Premier League football next season.

"We had three or four decent chances and in the second half we played real football.

"We went after it like it meant something and a lot of the senior players got 90 minutes which was another positive."

And Brown was particularly pleased to see Nathan Ralph start for the first time since suffering a cruciate ligament injury back in October.

"Nathan Ralph got 60 minutes and he’s flying,"said Brown.

"I love seeing players who love the game as much as I do and Ralphy is one of them.

"He’s delighted to be back and there were a lot of positives but the negatives were obviously the goals we conceded.

"But it was a good lesson for us and we’re building slowly but surely."

The Shrimpers began the contest brightly and Brown was happy to see striker Sam Dalby hit the back of the net for the first time since signing.

“We’ve been looking at another striker and that adds pressure to the players on the field of play,” said Brown.

“Whether they know that or not it doesn’t matter to me but when you get another striker in the camp the pressure mounts and you either respond in the right way or you don’t.

“I think Sam must have heard the rumours and he won his headers.

“The National League will be a lot more physical but if we play to his strengths he will be a threat.

“It was good to see him get the goal.”