SOUTHEND United will head into the biggest week of their history on a high after fighting back to draw 2-2 at Rochdale on Saturday.

The Shrimpers were second best for the majority of the first half against their strong-looking hosts who raced into a two goal advantage.

However, two well-taken headers from Harry Cardwell saw Blues come back to secure a share of the spoils.

And it was once again the team’s never say die attitude which saw them dig deep in testing times to pick up a share of the spoils.

Those battling characteristics will be needed throughout the club in the next few days as it enters the final hours before returning to the High Court still fearing for the future.

Much has been made, written and speculated about the situation.

But here is exactly where it is.

Justin Rees and the consortium he is heading up are still keen to buy the club and talks are continuing where that is concerned.

However, those talks are not all with chairman Ron Martin.

In fact, it is trying to sort out a situation with creditors which remains the main stumbling block and, with negotiations yet to be resolved, there is still a chance the Shrimpers could be placed into administration.

That would pose further problems and another points penalty which would make staying at this level incredibly difficult.

But I have been reassured time and time again by those in talks that liquidation will not occur.

Despite that though, it is still an incredibly uncertain time for Blues and I will not be alone in being extremely worried over what might happen next.

Those fears and stresses are tough to take but they were again momentarily forgotten about when watching the Shrimpers play on Saturday.

As has often been the case this season, Blues were only able to select just three substitutes and lined up with players lining up out of position.

To their credit Rochdale looked lively early on and caused havoc down their right hand side with Jesurun Uchegbulam running riot in the opening exchanges.

That resulted in the hosts racing into an early lead and, at that stage, the Shrimpers could have been forgiven for feeling sorry for themselves.

With rain pouring down 245 miles from home towards the end of an incredibly busy schedule with just 14 players available, it would have been game over for most sides.

But this Shrimpers team is built differently.

Immediately after going behind, Blues halved the deficit with Cardwell heading home and the striker did likewise after the break to pick up a point for his side.

Cardwell now has nine goals for the season and is finally benefitting from being able to string together a run of games in the starting line-up.

Far too often the striker’s progress has been halted by injury problems but, fingers crossed, he can stay fit this term and fulfil his undoubted potential.

Cardwell’s brace came in Kevin Maher’s 100th game as head coach and it is impossible to put into words just how well the Blues boss has done since being appointed.

It is scary to think about now but I first interviewed Maher 24 years ago and perhaps it was always inevitable he would end up in the Roots Hall hot-seat.

His passion for the club is there for all to see but he also possesses incredible football knowledge and humility which make him perfect for management.

Perhaps it may surprise some, but most footballers I have met do not retain stats and scorelines.

In fact, I remember doing an interview during lockdown when I had to remind one ex Shrimper that the famous FA Cup clash at Chelsea did not end in a 2-2 draw!

But talk to Maher about Blues’ League One title season way back when and the details he maintains are incredible.

That understanding of the game goes a long way but he is also certainly someone players will want to do well for.

I’m sure he won’t mind me sharing but I’ve had personal experience of that too as during my own struggles with mental health down the years, he has always been one to make sure I was OK.

And it further underlined his character in the summer when he played in my tennis fundraiser despite coming straight from a meeting where the players told him they were stopping training until being paid.

Most people would have cried off where that was concerned and the vast majority would certainly have crumbled given the current circumstances at Roots Hall.

But Maher overcame difficulties as a player and has certainly done the same in his first job as head coach.

Now, I just hope - so much - that this week brings what is needed to ensure he has the freedom and finances to form a future for the Shrimpers that we can all finally enjoy being a part of.