KEVIN Maher guided Southend United to a 2-0 win against Maidenhead United after his craziest few days in football.

Maher helped the Shrimpers to secure all three points at Roots Hall.

But the build up to Tuesday night’s game was far from ideal.

“The last 48 or 72 hours have been like nothing else I’ve ever experienced in football,” said Maher.

“Myself, Daz (Currie), Benno (Mark Bentley), John Still and Tom Lawrence were all here until 9.30 last night banging our heads together.

“The rules don’t make it easy when you have an embargo and I needed that tonight more than most.”

However, Maher was also keen to highlight the work of those around him.

“We have to recognise the staff, the work they do and how lucky we are to have what we do in the building right now,” said Maher.

“I hope it gets to fulfil its potential because we’re not far off being a very, very good side in this division.

“I believe we would be pushing right at the top end if it wasn’t for what goes on here.

"I want to sit here and talk about how well coached these players are because not many teams this year have been better than us.

“You can see everyone knows what they’re doing and that’s credit to the work Daz and Benno do on the training ground.

“We’re grateful for the fans too and fingers crossed we can have a bright future.”

Blues – who were hit by a 10 point penalty for financial irregularities – have now worked their way off the foot of the National League table.

And Maher was delighted with his side’s display against Maidenhead.

“After the weekend and what happened, plus the setbacks we keep on having for the players to respond the way they did is brilliant,” said Maher.

“The whole performance was outstanding.

“We only found out late we couldn’t play certain players because of the appeals and we’re putting people into positions without having a proper training session.

“We had to do a bit before the game with shape and things like that so for them to go and perform the way they did was unreal.”

And Maher insisted it a good performance was needed to beat Maidenhead.

“They are such a tough side to play against,” said Maher.

“They’re always competitive and always in the game.

“We restricted them to very little despite the back three looking as it was.

“Cav was brilliant back there and so was JD but everyone was and I could go on all night about all of them.

“They were outstanding again.”