SOUTHEND United defender Harry Taylor heads to Gateshead on Saturday focused on stopping goals not scoring them.

Taylor has yet to net for the Shrimpers since signing in June 2022.

But his main target is now keeping opposing strikers quiet.

“Now I’m further back I’m not too bothered about scoring, I’d much rather get a clean sheet,” said Taylor.

“If I can get up there and get another assist to help the boys then that would be good but the main thing is the result.”

The Shrimpers have done well where that is concerned so far this season and brilliantly saw off table-topping Chesterfield 2-1 at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Blues fought back from a goal down to triumph despite having just 13 players available.

But Taylor always felt Kevin Maher’s side would get back in the game.

“It was a very good comeback but even when we do go behind we’ve got that team spirt and togetherness where we always feel like we can get back into it and put pressure on them,” said Taylor.

“We play our game and it worked out to be fair.”

Taylor played a huge part where that was concerned, winning the Echo’s man of the match poll for the game.

And the 26-year-old believes it is Blues’ organisation which enables them to keep on upsetting the odds.

“It’s down to the management and ourselves,” said Taylor.

“With the way they set us up we just know what everyone is going to do.

“Everyone knows their own job and what we’re doing together in terms of pressing and on the ball.

“Once we get the first 15 minutes out the way when we feel like we’ve settled we give it a right go.”

The Shrimpers did just that against the Spireites on Saturday and Taylor was delighted to be back in action after serving a one match suspension.

“I think it was my first game is three weeks so it was quite tough on the old lungs,” said Taylor.

“It was good to get back out there and help the boys win.”

Blues will now be bidding for more of the same at fifth-placed Gateshead this weekend.

But Taylor knows it will be another big test.

“It will be a tough game, "said Taylor.

“They lost their manager a couple of weeks ago but we’ve watched their clips and they’re a very good footballing side.

“But we like to think we are as well so for a neutral it will be a very good game."