Southend United cruised into the semi-final of the Essex Senior cup after crushing Dagenham and Redbridge at Victoria Road.

And second-string coach Steve Tilson said last night's goal blitz was the perfect pick me up tonic for his side who had lost their previous three outings.

"Wins breed confidence so we have to be very happy with the result," he said. "Dagenham fielded a young team last night, but we are lacking fit bodies as well at the moment and we had to throw in a lot of youngsters ourselves.

"And they did us proud, particularly Jamie Gray, who was outstanding in defence, and I'm pleased they have passed this part of their learning curve with such a comprehensive success."

But it was a real old-stager -- Rob Newman -- who pointed Blues towards victory in spectacular fashion after just six minutes.

Playing in midfield, Southend's 39-year-old first team boss smashed an unstoppable volley into the top right hand corner of the Daggers' net from 25 yards.

Blues doubled their advantage within seconds when poacher Mark Salter tapped home from close range after the Conference outfit's goalkeeper Adam Lomas got in a tangle with Barrington Belgrave.

Dagenham, who included former West Ham stalwart Steve Potts in their rearguard, reduced the deficit after the break when Steve Vaughan arrowed past fit again Shrimpers keeper Darryl Flahavan.

But Southend stepped up a gear and it was ex-Frome Town hitman Salter who stole in for his second of the evening, beating Lomas from close range after the home custodian had parried Anthony Clark's initial effort.

And it was left to 16-year-old substitute front-runner Joe Ilett to wrap up victory eight minutes from time, nudging the ball to the left of Lomas after running on to Newman's defence-splitting pass.

Published Thursday, January 30, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo