FORMER Southend United favourite Garry Nelson feels the Shrimpers should be lifted by their FA Cup classic with Charlton Athletic.
Nelson was guest of honour for Blues’ 4-3 defeat to Addicks at Roots Hall on Saturday.
And the Benfleet based 63-year-old says Kevin Maher’s side should take plenty of positives from the first round tie .
“Southend can take a lot of credit and comfort from their second half performance in particular,” said Nelson.
“Charlton are one of the bigger sides in League One and, although they’re mid-table, they’re a difficult team to beat.
“They’ve drawn a lot of games this season and they’re no mugs.
“To put in a performance like Southend did against a team two divisions above you is testament to them.
“I know they’ve been struggling to score goals so to get three in the game, hopefully that gives them a bit of a lift.”
Blues resume their National League campaign against Yeovil Town at Roots Hall on Saturday, And the Shrimpers strikers will be looking to get back among the goals.
“(Macauley) Bonne has a good pedigree but hasn’t scored a goal yet so he’ll be light on confidence but Bim (Pepple) played well on Saturday,” said Nelson.
“He’s a handful and is a strong boy.
“He’s whole-hearted and puts himself about.
“He put an awful lot of work in but I can’t remember him having a clear cut chance created for him.
“But they scored three goals against a League One side so in theory they shouldn’t have too many problems scoring in the National League.
“Football is never as simple as that though.”
That was shown again on Saturday as Charlton scored in the dying seconds of an entertaining first round tie.
And Nelson thoroughly enjoyed returning to Roots Hall.
“It was a great cup tie,” said Nelson who scored 28 goals in 144 games for Blues.
“It’s been a much maligned competition in recent years but the fact the club spent some money to open more of the North Bank and Charlton bringing good support down it created a great atmosphere.
“It was lovely to be back with the ground being about 90 per cent full and the game really delivered too.”
But Nelson - who also played for Charlton in his career - admitted Southend were unlucky to lose.
“Southend were the better side in the second half and created more chances,” said Nelson.
“They deserved to still be in the tie at the end of the 90 minutes.
“I won’t go into the politics as to why there are no replays but the rules are the rules and I just think they’ll be really disappointed with the nature of the goal.
“But players are tired and when they’re tired they can make rash decisions and I think that was the case.”
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