Young Southend United goalkeeper Daniel Gay has admitted he wants to keep a tight hold on the number one Roots Hall jersey.

The teenage shot-stopper was a surprise inclusion between the sticks for Blues during their 1-0 Third Division win at Lincoln City on Saturday.

Shrimpers boss Rob Newman handed the rookie custodian only his third appearance this term after dropping contract rebel Darryl Flahavan to the substitutes' bench.

"It would be fantastic to be the number one goalie at Southend and I'd like to think I staked my claim at Sincil Bank at the weekend," said Gay, who has recently agreed a new one-year deal.

"Darryl has turned down a new contract with Southend and I've got to make the most of it. Another man's loss is another man's gain and I need to prove I am capable of taking Darryl's place.

"I'm only 19-years-old and I've got plenty of time ahead of me. But I would like to get a run of games under my belt between now and the end of the season to show everyone what I can do."

And Gay said there was no ill feeling between himself and Blues' regular keeper, 24-year-old Flahavan.

"Darryl was great," added Gay. "I think he understands that he hasn't signed a new contract at this moment in time and the manager had promised to give me a chance."

Talking about his decision to drop Flahavan, Newman said: "Darryl knew when he decided not to sign a new contract that this could happen. I told him that he wouldn't play in all the games."

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Published Wednesday, March 20, 2002