SOUTHEND United can finally beat MK Dons tonight if they score first — according to their former left-back Neil Jenkins.

The 27-year-old, who now plays in the Blue Square Premier with Eastbourne Borough, spent a combined total of 12 years with the two teams in action at Roots Hall this evening.

And, although he feels the game will end in a draw, Jenkins also believes the Shrimpers are capable of springing a surprise.

“First of all I think it should be a good game,” said Jenkins.

“Friday night matches at Roots Hall always have a good atmosphere and if Southend can score first then I think they will win it.

“But I’m going to sit on the fence and call it a draw.”

Such an outcome would also satisfy Jenkins, who holds happy memories from his time with both clubs.

He played 61 times in two seasons with Blues and thoroughly enjoyed his first taste of life in the Football League “It was one of the best times in my career,” recalled Jenkins.

“They gave me a chance to play league football and were a really well run club too.

“My main highlight was scoring on my debut at Hull City and also playing in the LDV final against Blackpool at the Millennium Stadium.

“My biggest low was obviously leaving and on the playing side it was losing to Scarborough in the FA Cup when we would have played Chelsea in the next round if we won.”

Jenkins joined Blues in August 2002 having previously spent 10 years with Wimbledon, who became MK Dons in 2004.

While there he enjoyed a number of memorable moments with the then Premier League side and was also called up into England squads at various age-groups.

“I grew up being part of the Crazy Gang and they were also special times for me,” said Jenkins.

“Every time we signed a new player his car wheels would go missing or his clothes would be burnt!

“It was a really good club to be at until ITV Digital went wrong and they lost all their money.”

Wimbledon soon lost their Premier League status too and, in 2004, the club was controversially moved to Milton Keynes and was renamed MK Dons.

The decision shocked and angered many fans but not Jenkins. “I wasn’t really surprised they became MK Dons because the new chairman (Pete Winkelman) came in and right from the word go he wanted to transform the club,” said Jenkins. “He wanted bigger attendances and a place that the team could call home.

“The reason he chose Milton Keynes was because the nearest other club was Luton and that was miles away.

“But after all the stick he has taken he has done wonders with the club.”

Jenkins has also done well too in recent seasons.

He left the Shrimpers in June 2004 and was snapped up by Crawley Town, where he was named supporters player of the year in his first season.

Financial problems soon began to materialise though and eventually led to Jenkins’ departure.

“We didn’t get paid for four months so I left the club and had a little break from football,” said Jenkins. “Then the following season I signed for Eastbourne and it’s been quite eventful there.”

Jenkins just avoided relegation in his first season with Borough then just missed out of the play-offs the next before it became third time lucky with promotion into the Blue Square Premier.

“For a little club like Eastbourne that was a great achievement.

“We came 12th in our first year which was really good but at the moment we’re struggling a bit.

“We are only one of two part-time clubs in the league and we are just not getting the rub of the green but hopefully that will soon change.”