SOUTHEND United wing back Gus Scott-Morriss put his “money where his mouth is” to end Blues' wait for a set piece goal.

The Shrimpers had gone more than three years without scoring direct from a free-kick until Scott-Morriss netted from 25 yards against Dorking Wanderers on Tuesday night.

And Scott-Morriss stepped forward after telling his team-mates he should be placed on dead-ball deliveries.

“To be fair I’ve been giving it to the lads for a few weeks saying I should have a go,” laughed Scott-Morriss.

“I had one a few games that I thought was going closer but it was time to put your money where your mouth is and thankfully it went in the top corner.”

Scott-Morriss sent his free-kick high into the left hand side of the net and fancied chances of hitting the back of the net for the sixth time this season.

“I felt confident to hit it,” said the wing-back.

“There were a few players probably thinking I shouldn’t and probably the gaffer and Daz (Currie) were doubting it too but sometimes you’ve got to prove people wrong!”

Scott-Morriss’ goal fired the Shrimpers into the lead and stopped a run of five games where Kevin Maher’s side had conceded first.

“We haven’t necessarily been starting poorly in games we’ve just given them a goal,” said Scott-Morriss.

“It doesn’t help being a goal down to sides and we’ve done well to keep getting points from it.”

But that was not the case against Dorking and Scott-Morriss felt the Shrimpers secured all three points despite not being on top form.

“We weren’t at our best at all tonight but getting the goal ahead we could sit in and grind out the result to get three points,” said the 26-year-old.

“We had a bit of nous about us and that was probably something we’ve lacked in the last few games.

“I don’t think you come away from this saying it’s a brilliant game and it’s pretty but we were professional and got the job done.”

The victory also made it eight games unbeaten for Blues who have faced a hectic schedule in the past few weeks.

“It's been relentless,” said Scott-Morriss.

“Both sides struggled with a bit of Saturday Tuesday fever and lacked a bit of quality but it’s just about the three points.

“That’s all that matters.”

And Scott-Morriss remains hungry for more.

“We’ll keep going,” he said.

“We’re still learning a lot about ourselves as a team.

“But we’ve always got belief and we want to keep this run going as long as we can and finish as strongly as possible too.”

The Shrimpers head to Hartlepool United this weekend and Scott-Morriss will again be hoping to have plenty to celebrate.

The energetic defender rubbed his stomach after scoring against Dorking and again revealed it was down to a superstition.

“I said it before but whenever I don’t score for a while I have to tell someone to give me a celebration,” said Scott-Morriss.

“Someone gave me it and I was a bit suspect but when it went in the top corner it had to be done.”