SOUTHEND United winger Kevan Hurst praised the Shrimpers’ spirit as they fought back to claim a 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers at Roots Hall on Friday night.

Blues went behind when Matt Harrold headed the Pirates in front at the start of the second half.

But Hurst was pleased to see how Southend responded to the setback and with his long range strike that secured Phil Brown’s side a point.

“I thought we showed a bit of character to come back and we can take some confidence from that for the next game,” said Hurst, 28.

“When we went behind in our last home game against Scunthorpe we went route one too early and stopped playing the way we should.

“However, this time we kept our composure. We chipped away at them and it was a nice feeling for me to get the goal.

“After that we could well have gone on to win it but it’s difficult when you’re on a bad run like this and we can certainly take heart from the way we responded to going behind even though we’re obviously disappointed not to have got the three points.”

Blues have now not won in their last six games.

And Hurst was left frustrated at not doing more to have helped the Shrimpers get back to winning ways.

“I had another shot tipped over but another two opportunities I drove over which was bad decision making from me,” said Hurst.

“You’re buzzing after you’ve got a goal and I should probably have crossed it from those situations or aimed for the back post so I think I let myself down there a little bit if I’m being honest and it’s something I need to learn from.”

Hurst will now be looking to put that right at second placed Oxford United on Saturday and he is eager to help the Shrimpers end their run of bad results.

“Oxford are doing well this season but we’ve had two draws in a row now and want to go there and get a win now,” added Hurst.