SKIPPER Adam Barrett insists Southend United have what it takes to succeed in the play-offs, despite being forced to play the second leg of their semi final away from home.

Following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers the Shrimpers cannot finish any higher than fifth in the table.

And although that means they will play the first leg at Roots Hall, Barrett is confident that will not matter.

"It doesn't really make too much difference and we have to be able to deal with it," said Barrett.

"In an ideal world I guess you would rather be at home in the second leg, but the way we've been playing it isn't a big deal because our away form has been excellent just lately.

"Before Saturday we were six unbeaten on the road and that included some really difficult games, so it shows we can do it.

"Wherever we play it's going to exciting and we just have to make sure we're going to be ready for it."

The last time Blues reached the play-offs, in 2005, they played the second leg of their semi final at home to Northampton Town and did the same in the area LDV Vans Trophy finals against Bristol Rovers and Colchester United in both 2004 and 2005.

Southend emerged victorious from all three of those tussles but Barrett was quick to stress that despite the disappointing defeat at Prenton Park last weekend his team must go into the end of season showdowns in a positive frame of mind.

"We've done superbly well and losing to Tranmere doesn't change that," said the defender.

"Hopefully we've got the defeat out of the way when it doesn't matter so much.

"It's much better to lose now than in two weeks' time but we have to make sure we bounce back in the right way."

That aim begins this weekend as Blues host already relegated Port Vale at Roots Hall in what will be their final league game of the season before the play-offs begin.

"It would be nice to go into the play-off game with a win behind us," said the 28-year-old.

"It would be good for the confidence because it was a flat performance at Tranmere.

"Chances were few and far between, the pitch wasn't the best either and it was just a bad day for us."