SOUTHEND United fans could forgive manager Steve Tilson for getting a little bit shirty during tonight's clash with Brighton and Hove Albion at Roots Hall.

For the Blues boss' latest superstition is to not wash his match-day shirt until his side suffer a home defeat.

And, with the Shrimpers having now gone seven games without a defeat at their own ground, Tilson's shirt, which he wears under his suit before kick-off, has not been cleaned since late January.

"I'm not sure how it happened but this is my latest lucky charm and it seems to be working," said Tilson, who did not clean his suit or get his hair cut during the Seasiders' run of eight successive victories during the 2005/06 season.

"I can't get my shirt washed until we lose again but it's in a disgusting state. It's filthy and there is just no way anybody can see it.

"It means I have to keep my suit jacket on at all times because the shirt is covered in God knows what and doesn't smell too pleasant either, but it's keeping our run going and that's what matters the most to me."

Southend have also impressed away from home in recent weeks and have now not lost for 10 games.

That run has seen them rise up to fifth in the League One table, six points ahead of seventh-placed Tranmere Rovers.

This evening's encounter is also Blues' game in hand on the Prenton Park outfit and Tilson is keen to get more points on board.

"We're playing well at the moment but want and need to keep it going," he said.

"We've opened up a bit of a gap on the teams below us but can take nothing for granted.

"Things can change very quickly and we have some very hard games ahead, starting with tonight."

The Seagulls are currently ninth in the standings and also have their aspirations of finishing inside the promotion play-offs.

But they have now gone three games without a win and lost 3-2 at home to struggling Port Vale on Saturday.

"Brighton are a good side and the league table shows that," said Tilson.

"They've had a bit of a wobble just recently but just before that they had been on a great run and they're up there as one of the in-form sides in the league along with ourselves and Carlisle.

"They have some dangerous players and we shall have to make sure we approach it in the right way or we're going to come unstuck."