SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher expects Dorking Wanderers to provide a stern test at Meadowbank.

Dorking sit 19th in the National League standings, two places and three points above the relegation zone.

But Maher believes Marc White’s side will be difficult to beat.

“It’s a big, big test,” said the Blues boss.

“They’ve brought in some good experienced players.

“They’ve got Tony Craig now who I know very well and his leadership qualities will be big for them.

“They’re a good side and it’s always a big test playing them.

“They cause teams problems and, like I said when we played them at our place, it’s one of the biggest tests we could face.

“It’s the same going to their place but we’ll look to get a team out to hopefully pose them problems as much as they think they will to us.

“I think it will be a good game.”

Dorking - who were formed in 1999 - are currently enjoying their first ever season in the National League having won 12 promotions to go from the 17th tier of the game to the fifth.

Wanderers are unbeaten in their last four home games and beat Maidenhead United 3-1 on Saturday.

But Maher is solely focused on ending the Shrimpers’ poor form which saw has seen lose six matches in succession.

“We were bitterly disappointed to lose at Altrincham on Saturday in a game we felt like we did well enough to get something from,” said Maher.

“But it’s another close one that’s gone against us and we know we need to do better than that and get results.

“There’s no hiding away from that fact.”

But Maher is pleased to already be getting back in action.

“It’s good we’ve got another game so quickly rather than having the whole week to think about it,” said the Blues boss.

“We’ll be prepared and will be ready to go again.

“We’ll give everything we’ve got to try and get a result.”

And, in a further bid to stop the rot, the Shrimpers squad also held talks at the training ground yesterday.

“We had a good chat,” said Maher.

“It’s fine margins in football and things are going against us at the minute, we know that.

“We’ll take that responsibility ourselves because you shouldn’t lose the games we’ve lost and we’ve got to be brave.

“We’ve got to be bright and all pull together which they are doing.

“The team spirit is brilliant but the confidence does take a hit when you lose games.

“It’s about everyone being on the same page and pulling together.”

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