SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher will be bidding for better memories of Grimsby Town on Friday night.

The Shrimpers head to Blundell Park  for a tough looking test in the National League.

But Maher will be hoping the game is less painful than his previous visit to the Mariners when he skippered a Blues side which missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the 2004/05 season.

“I remember it was the last game of the season and we needed to win to go up so it was a difficult one to take,” recalled Maher.

“We didn’t get where we wanted that day and I remember getting the wrong information on the pitch with results from elsewhere.

“But we still went up that season and it was a special time.

“That was a tough day but we bounced back from it straight away to go up in the play-offs.

“They’re great memories really around that era and it would be nice to go back there, get a result and start to make more good memories.”

The Shrimpers drew 1-1 with Grimsby back in 2005 and were pipped to third place by Swansea who won 1-0 at Bury to secure promotion.

Blues quickly bounced back from the setback and will need similar spirit tonight as they head to Grimsby having been beaten five times in their last six league games.

The poor run of results has seen them slip to within one point and one place of the relegation zone, meaning the Shrimpers are underdogs for this evening’s encounter.

Grimsby were relegated alongside Blues from League Two last season but have adjusted far quicker to the disappointment and currently sit third in the table, despite losing their last four matches.

But Maher insists Southend are looking forward to the contest, which is being shown live on BT Sport.

“It’s a tough game and they’ve been going ever so well but we’re looking forward to it and it’s a good game for us,” said Maher.

“It’s under lights with a good crowd and if you’re a footballer you want to play in this one.

"They’ve got a top manager who knows the level and the levels above to be fair but it’s one not to be afraid of.

“Despite where we are in the league and where they are I’d like to think they know they’re going to be in for a game.

“Likewise we know what we’re going into but it’s a tough one for both teams.”

Blues will be without Jack Bridge this evening but Maher is pleased the wing-back will not be missing for longer.

“It’s disappointing for him but the good news is we feared he could have been out a lot longer,” said Maher.

“They were initially talking about him being out for six months but when they had a look at it and saw what it was they said six weeks.”