WREXHAM received worldwide recognition following the investment of two Hollywood superstars this season.

But even the collective CVs of the Dragons’ co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney might struggle to match the drama created by Southend United in recent seasons.

Sadly, much of what has unfolded at Roots Hall would probably be filed under the horror section.

However, at long last there are signs of real progress and change.

And even though Saturday’s clash may have ended in a 1-0 win for Wrexham, there was further evidence the Shrimpers are now starting to move in the right direction.

Yes, Blues should not be at this level and, due to the recent wretched history on and off the pitch, there remains a nagging doubt in the back of your mind about financial problems again coming to the fore.

But the Shrimpers do seem to have stopped the rot and Kevin Maher deserves immense credit where that is concerned.

Such has been the speed of the improvements that it can be forgotten at times just how bad things were when Maher opted to return to Roots Hall.

The former Shrimpers midfielder and his coaching staff inherited a club in complete crisis and a third successive relegation had started to appear a foregone conclusion.

Maintaining National League status was the main aim of the game when Maher took charge and that has been achieved far quicker than anyone could have expected.

The improved run of results has seen Blues work their way up to 12th in the table but part two of the project is to now push on and be in contention for promotion next season.

With that in mind, the Shrimpers could definitely do with both Stockport and Wrexham going up this season.

Their budgets are way ahead of anyone else at this level and, without them, the league would be much more of a level playing field.

Wrexham, in particular, have splashed the cash this season - albeit not on their wifi it would appear! - and it was £300,000 signing Ollie Palmer who bagged the only goal of the game at the weekend.

The striker bagged what proved to be the winning goal just two minutes in to the second half.

But, unlike against table-topping Stockport County last month, the Shrimpers stayed in the contest and were more than a match against one of the league’s top teams for the majority of the afternoon

That will offer hope for Blues moving forward and the coaching staff will – by now – know exactly where the side and the squad needs to be strengthened if they are to be higher up the table next term.

Recruitment, on the whole, has been encouraging under the new regime and there will be further changes this summer.

The squad will be trimmed and many of the youngsters who have been out on loan seem likely to move on this summer along with those who have featured less frequently during the latter stages of the season.

However, others have shown they have the skills needed to be part of a successful side.

They now need to be complimented by increased quality and competition in certain areas.

Blues need another centre-back, pace out wide, a strong midfielder and someone who can also push on from the centre of the park to score.

Another striker could well be on the shopping list too as the Shrimpers must find a way to start hitting the back of the net more regularly.

Blues have scored just 43 goals in 42 leagues games this term and it is an obvious observation to say that simply has to improve if Southend are to continue to make progress.

Even on Saturday, despite the strong and promising performance, the Shrimpers did not pose too many problems in the final third.

Further frustration surrounded the manner of Wrexham’s winner as Leon Davies switched off at the back post to allow Palmer the space he needed to score.

However, far more positive was the defensive displays of both Shaun Hobson and Ollie Kensdale who did well against free-scoring opposition.

Ultimately, their efforts were not quite enough but the performance again showed just why pride has been restored by Blues during the second half of the campaign.

And it also offers hope that the next few chapters of Southend’s drama packed story may finally have a happy ending.