MICHAEL Timlin will be left tearing his hair out if Southend United fail to beat Accrington Stanley at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The sixth placed Shrimpers head in to the game on the back of a brilliant 3-0 win at high-flying Rochdale on Friday.

But Phil Brown’s side have often struggled to see off the struggling sides in League Two.

And Timlin wants that to end against 17th placed Stanley today.

“If we had done better against the teams towards the bottom then we would be in the top three if not top so it’s something we’re aware of and want to improve,” said the midfielder.

“It’s not a case of being more up for games against the top teams or anything like that and we actually thought we had sorted it out before we were beaten by AFC Wimbledon in our last home game.

“It’s been disappointing but that’s what happened and we need to make sure we do better when we play Accrington.

“If we don’t then all the hard work we put in at Rochdale will just have been a waste.”

Blues stunned second placed Rochdale with a convincing and commanding display as they ran out comfortable winners at Spotland.

Goals from Barry Corr and Jacob Murphy put Southend in a commanding position before Timlin completed the scoring with a well taken volley right at the start of the second half.

And the 29-year-old was thrilled to hit the back of the net.

“It was great to score and it was great play from Kevan Hurst to set me up too,” said Timlin.

“When he first crossed it I thought I was going to have to head it but with the way I have my barnet at the moment there was no way that would’ve gone in.

“I went for the volley instead and it was brilliant to score because I was disappointed not to make more of the opportunity I had in the first half which was cleared off the line.

“It was a good performance and result but we won’t get carried away and we now need more of the same against Accrington.”

Today's game kicks off at 3pm.