SOUTHEND United defender Kacper Lopata said the clean sheet meant more to him than his goal in Tuesday night’s 3-0 win at Barnet.

Lopata opened the scoring for Blues with a close range shot before the break.

But it was keeping the Bees out at the other end of the field which gave Lopata most satisfaction.

“The clean sheet means more to me, 100 per cent,” said Lopata.

“The goal was nice but as a defender I’m going to have a good career by clean sheets.

“It’s what people look and my job is to keep clean sheets so that’s what I buzz off the most.

“But if I do chip in with a goal then great.”

Lopata was joined on the score-sheet by both Callum Powell and Jack Bridge as Blues made it four league wins in succession.

And the centre-back was on a real high at the final whistle.

“It feels great,” said Lopata.

“It’s another win and another three points but Barnet made it awkward for us and played a lot of long balls.

“They’ve got good targetmen up there too so you’ve got to stay organised.

“Communicating is so important too but we’ve got to keep it up.”

Blues are now unbeaten in nine National League games and sit sixth in the standings.

But that means little to Lopata at this stage.

“It’s pleasing but it doesn’t really matter where we are now, it’s about where we are at the end of the season,” said Lopata.

“We won’t get carried away and we’ll continue to just take it a game at a time.”

However, Lopata is keen to keep on giving the Shrimpers supporters plenty to celebrate.

“The fans have been through a lot these last couple of years so I’ve heard so it’s important they have something to rave about and look forward to,” said Lopata.

“It means so much to us and keeping the fans happy is another goal for us.”

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