SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher has labelled his side's season as one of the best he has ever enjoyed with the Shrimpers.

Maher - who takes his team to Ebbsfleet United this afternoon - won back to back promotions and a League One title during his 10 seasons as a Blues players.

But he believes what the squad has achieved, against all odds, during the current campaign, has also made it one to remember.

"This could be right up there with anything that's gone on, without any shadow of doubt," said Maher.

"What the players have done in the face of so much adversity, I can't tell you how much credit they deserve.

"For us not to be down the bottom of the league fighting against relegation is testament to the hard work everyone at the club has put in.

"And the biggest thing is we still have a club the players and supporters all fought for."

The Shrimpers have bounced back from a number of off-field issues including a 10 point deduction to sit 10th in the National League standings.

Blues also head into today's clash unbeaten in 11 games.

But Maher has not had time to properly reflect on everything that has been achieved.

"When you're sill going game to game it's hard to stop and look back," said Maher.

"It does feel like about five seasons in to one but I've not really had time to think.

"To get where we are is an unbelievable achievement and it will go down as a season to look back on with great memories.

"You don't see this done very often and I'm sure we'll look back at the end of the season and think what happened there.

"But we're not finished yet and want to get as many points as we can in the remaining matches."

Next up for the Shrimpers is today's clash against 18th placed Ebbsfleet who currently sit top of the form guide for the past six matches.

And Maher is expecting another stern test.

"They are a different proposition to when we played them earlier on in the season," said the head coach "They're in really good form and they're very good at home.

"They've had plenty of time to prepare for the game and I'm sure they will be ready.

"We've got to get the players in the right frame of mind to go and give everything again and there's no doubt we will do."

Maher will again make a late call on midfielder Noor Husin who missed Tuesday night's 3-0 win at Solihull with a shin problem.