SOUTHEND United hero Stephen Humphrys was inspired by his former Rochdale team-mate Joe Thompson heading into Saturday’s clash with Sunderland.

Humphrys struck late on to secure the Shrimpers a 2-1 win against Sunderland to keep Kevin Bond’s side in League One.

But Humphrys knew anything was possible after Thompson’s heroics at the end of last season when he came back from cancer to score Rochdale’s crucial goal against Charlton Athletic.

“I was with Rochdale last season and we stayed up on the final day,” recalled.

“Joe Thompson beat cancer twice and scored the winner.

“What a hero he was and if he can do that then anything is possible so I did think about that."