SOUTHEND United head to Hartlepool United on Saturday unbeaten in their last eight games.

But 18 years ago it was the complete opposite.

The Shrimpers made the long trip to Victoria Park with their League One title push in the balance after an eight match winless streak.

However, a stunning man of the match performance from goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan helped the Shrimpers triumph 2-1 in what proved to be a pivotal moment in a memorable season.

And Flahavan’s display remains one of the best Blues boss Kevin Maher has ever seen from a shot-stopper.

“It was an unbelievable performance from Flavs and definitely one of the best I’ve seen from any goalkeeper, “said Maher.

“I remember he saved a penalty at the end and it was after a period where we hadn’t won for a few games.

“We didn’t perform brilliantly as a team but he was brilliant himself to win us the game.

“It turned out to be a big turning point in the season too.”

Blues went on to claim the League One title and lost just one of their next 14 games after grinding out the victory at Hartlepool.

But Flahavan remembers initially fearing the match was not going to go ahead.

“There was a lot of snow, it was very cold and we thought it was going to be called off, especially when one of the floodlights stopped working properly during the warm up,” recalled Flahavan.

“It went ahead and it was one of those games that felt like a training session because it just seemed to be shot after shot and cross after cross.

“It was a busy night for me in the end.”

However, Flahavan is unsure if it was his best display in a Shrimpers shirt.

“I leave things like that for other people to judge but I’d like to think I had quite a few good games for Southend,” said Flahavan.

“That was definitely one of them and I probably didn’t expect to be that busy on the night.

“But as a goalkeeper you have to always be ready and luckily I was on good form that night.”

Blues came from a goal down to lead 2-1, thanks to a fine finish from Freddy Eastwood and a penalty from Wayne Gray five minutes from time.

However, Flahavan still had to save a last gasp penalty and the rebound to ensure victory for Steve Tilson’s side.

“I remember going the right way for the penalty and making the save but I could only push it back out centrally,” recalled Flahavan.

“There wasn’t really time to push it out into a wide area and as I looked up I could see it was going to one of their players so I had to get back up to make that save too.

“I was delighted with that and it was just one of those games.

“They played really well on the night and we didn’t to be honest.

“We rode our luck to get the win but sometimes that’s what you need and it galvanised the squad.”

Blues players’ celebrated their victory by throwing their shirts into the crowd.

But that posed problems later on in the season.

“I didn’t throw mine in, it was too cold but I think a few of the lads got a bit excited after the win and did give their shirts to the fans,” said Flahavan.

“I do remember we didn’t have enough of them the next time we had to wear them and I think the club shop came to the rescue.”

But the success and subsequent celebrations showed the togetherness of the squad during a memorable time in the Shrimpers’ history.

“You don’t realise it at the time but it was probably right up there with the best times in the club’s history,” said Flahavan.

“Everyone enjoyed it, we had a good team and a good team spirit.

“It was a great time to be at the football club and I look back on it with great fondness.”

Nowadays, Flahavan is helping others follow in his foot-steps and is enjoying being goalkeeping coach with Championship club Plymouth Argyle.

“It’s been good to get back in to this level and it’s a league I know really well now,” said Flahavan.

“It’s a really good club with really good people trying to do the right things on and off the pitch.

“It’s been nice to be involved and we’re in a position in the league where we needed a few more wins to consolidate our position.

“Hopefully we can get them, starting with Preston on Saturday.”

But Flahavan still keeps an eye out for the Shrimpers’ scorelines.

“I always have a little look,” said Flahavan.

“My son plays in that league too with Solihull so I keep tabs on the league as a whole.

“But I do look for Southend’s scores and hopefully the club can start to kick on again during the next few weeks.

“With Kev in charge and the other people involved there’s a good chance it can happen.

“And I really hope it does.”