Southend United finish their latest Third Division campaign at Exeter City tomorrow, aiming to hammer the final nail into one of their oldest adversaries' relegation coffin.

The 23rd-placed Grecians are clinging on to Football League survival by the skins of their teeth and need three points to keep alive their hopes of avoiding the slide into the Conference.

Mark Salter - ankle injury means he is doubt for Blues' trip to Exeter Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

"We owe it to everybody in the Third Division to remain professional and we are going to Exeter for the win," said Shrimpers boss Steve Wignall.

"But if we end up sending Exeter out of the league we won't take any joy from it."

Blues have played the Grecians more than any other team since turning professional in 1920, with the crucial St James' Park clash being the 108th meeting between the two sides.

The Grecians are also relying on Hull City to do them a massive favour at their only relegation rivals Swansea, who are one place and one point above the Devon outfit.

"Exeter need to beat us and hope Swansea lose at home to Hull to stay up -- it's as simple as that," added Wignall.

"The whole country will be focused on both Exeter and Swansea tomorrow and somebody is going to steal all the headlines and grab a bit of fame.

"It could be a goalkeeper for keeping a clean sheet, a defender heading an equaliser or a striker scoring the winning goal. It always happens at this time of year.

"But we have to focus on our own task, which is ending a dismal run of eight away defeats on the bounce."

Blues are 14th in Division Three, the highest they can finish this term, and will again be without striker Barrington Belgrave (ankle).

Another forward, Mark Salter, is also doubtful with an ankle problem and defender Stephen Broad is ruled out with a dislocated shoulder.

Published Friday, May 2, 2003

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