YEOVIL Town boss Mark Cooper said Southend United were tough to beat – despite their selection woes.

Blues were short of players for the FA cup tie at Huish Park.

But Cooper insisted the Glovers had to work hard for their 2-0 win.

“We knew their starting 11 would be really strong and we weren’t fooled by that,” Cooper told the club’s YouTube channel.

“They changed their shape for the first time this season and started with a back four but when we scored they went to a back three which is what we had been expecting.

“They’re really difficult to play against.

“They’re extremely well coached and create so many overloads on the pitch.”

And that ultimately led to Cooper changing his team’s formation throughout the afternoon.

“We made a fast start but they regained their composure and it became a bit of a chess match,” said Cooper.

“We had to change our shape two or three times because they were doing us in wide areas.

“They were getting too many crosses in the box and we had to change that.”

Yeovil defended strongly to keep the Shrimpers at bay.

And Cooper was pleased with the victory.

“It’s great for the club and it’s a great effort from the players,” said Cooper.

“It’s a great structural performance and we looked really sound.

“We had to respect they’re a league above us and we got it done.”