SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher hailed his ‘incredible’ players following a dramatic 2-1 win at Torquay United.

A last gasp solo-strike from Cav Miley secured all three points for the Shrimpers.

And Maher was again left in awe of his players who remain unpaid in 2023.

“It’s incredible,” said Maher.

“They keep getting hit with things and keep on responding.

“I can’t praise them enough and the scenes at the end are unbelievable.

“Everyone was together, the fans and the players and what a goal to win it as well.

“They’re unbreakable with what they deal with and what they’ve had to go through.”

Blues broke the deadlock in the first half with Callum Powell firing home but the match seemed to be heading for a stalemate when Lee Collins equalising for Torquay four minutes from time.

However, the sixth placed Shrimpers still found a way to secure their fifth league win in six games to leave Maher full of praise for those around them.

“I’m lucky to manage them and that’s the biggest compliment I can give them,” said Maher.

“To have that group of players and the staff we have as well means I’m the lucky one.

“It’s another long journey, we’re pinned back away from home and under pressure it would be easy to gave in but they don’t.

“We stood up to it and came out the other side.”

But Maher feels that fighting spirit is nothing new.

“All season we’ve taken knocks and keep on responding,” said Maher.

“The players deserve all the credit in the world because once they get over that white line it’s down to them.

“It’s not about tactics or anything like that at the end there, it’s heart and quality.”

Miley’s fine winner came in the first minute of stoppage time.

And Maher was thrilled to see the midfielder score his first goal of the season.

“He has said he’s only got one in him to be fair and he can finish when he gets in there,” said Maher.

“It’s an absolutely brilliant goal.

“To stay that calm in that moment when we needed him to was brilliant because we had plenty of times we broke and maybe made the wrong decision.

“For him to show that composure is unbelievable.”

But it was not just Miley who stayed calm in front of goal as Powell also did well to hit the back of the net in the first half to help Blues back from their midweek defeat at Notts County.

“Tuesday was on me not the players,” stressed Maher.

“I’m delighted for Powelly to come in and get his goal.

“We keep talking to him about being in those kind of areas.

“Sometimes he does so much work outside the box but we need him in it.

“It was a good bit of play and a great finish.”

Get more great stories by Chris Phillips delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our regular newsletter here