Southend United fans were put firmly in their place by the Blues' first team - but still had the night of their lives.

They also had the memory of netting a goal that Shrimpers goalkeeper Mel Capleton rated as one of the best he had ever seen.

Blues supporters club manager Andy Dobie said: "It was fantastic to play against our heroes and we were delighted that they played their full side.

"We hope the disappointment of the past three seasons' struggle are behind Southend and we look forward to cheering them to promotion this season."

Shrimpers manager Alan Little said: "It was a very good work-out for the lads.

"The match was of a high standard, and it gave much-needed confidence to some of our players returning from injury."

Blues chairman John Main helped set the game up with the fans, who won the FA Cup for supporters three years running early in the 1990s, then the Southend Sunday League Division One and Cup double last season.

After an even and flowing first 20 minutes in front of 150 spectators at Southend's Boots & Laces training ground, supporters' centre-back Paul Herring was pressurised into an own goal by impressive striker Neil Tolson, who promptly doubled Blues lead with a close-range header.

Fans' goalkeeper Scott Elliott then saved Gordon Connelly's penalty after Herring was harshly ruled to have fouled Yemi Abiodun. Strong-running Scott Houghton promptly added Southend's third.

However, two minutes later, Capleton's clearance was met by supporters' skipper Dave Burgess, who strode forward, rounded Houghton, and smashed home a 35-yarder.

The fans' talented midfielder Neil Benson helped his side fight back, but, on the stroke of half-time, Simon Coleman stole in to head home Nathan Jones' cross.

Blues completely switched their line-up in the second half, when assistant manager Mick Gooding looked the liveliest player on view.

Neville Roach's cracking half-volley made it 5-1 after Elliott had made two splendid saves.

Then Dave Morley robbed the otherwise-admirable Darryl Smith to finish clinically, and Leo Roget dived full-length from Adrian Clarke's cross to score Southend's seventh.

Southend: Capleton; Connelly, Cross, Coleman, Perkins, Jones; Houghton, Livett, Maher; Tolson, Abiodun. Subs: Margetson, Beard, Roget, Newman, Booty, Clarke, Gooding, Morley, Roach.

S.U.S.C.: Elliott; Brett, Sylvester, D Smith, Herring, Peacock; Benson, M Smith, Mitchell; Burgess, Wilkins. Subs: Dobie, T Sills, B Sills, Harness, Russell, Brigstock, Staples.

Dobie delight - Blues' fans skipper Andy Dobie (yellow shirt, 4) scored the consolation against Southend's first team

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