SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher remains in awe of what the Shrimpers are achieving this season.

Blues – who triumphed 2-1 at Wealdstone on Tuesday night – would be fifth in the National League standings without their 10 point deduction.

And Maher feels his players deserve immense praise.

“We’d be up to fifth now and it’s honestly unbelievable,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“It really is unbelievable from the players who have been here all season and those who have come in.

“They’ve bought into what we’re doing, the team spirit and the character you’ve got to have too.

“We had a period where we were really tired in the season but we’re mentally strong and keep going.

“Now we want to finish as strongly as we can and keep the teams above us honest.”

Blues sit ninth in the standings, four points below the play-offs, with two games to go.

And Maher was pleased with how the Shrimpers battled back to win at Wealdstone.

“To go on win this game was really, really pleasing,” said Maher.

“I thought we played ever so well in the first half.

“We moved the ball about and had a couple of good chances.

“Ralphy’s had a header and Gussy’s had a chance too.

“We’ve one or two where we needed to show bit more composure but then we got done on a set-piece.

“We responded well after that though and shown good character because they’re fighting here.

“They changed their manager unfortunately for him and they showed some fight.

“There’s a bit of atmosphere around the place and we had to cope with that. “

A well-taken strike from skipper Nathan Ralph brought Blues back level before Cav Miley scored from long range to secure victory for the visitors.

And Maher praised both goalscorers.

“Ralphy took his goal well,” said Maher.

“He had a chance just before that with a header but it fell to him and he put it away well.

“Cav’s done the same and says he’s got one a season in him.

“It’s a great goal we deserved at that stage of the game.

“He did it at Torquay last season and it was another great strike.”