SOUTHEND United defender Adam Crowther wants the Shrimpers to stay upbeat despite suffering back to back defeats.

Blues were beaten 1-0 by Yeovil Town on Saturday having lost 4-3 to Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup the week before.

But Crowther believes Kevin Maher’s side should keep their heads high.

“I felt like we had turned a bit of a corner and although the last two scores have been negatives I think the performances have been positive,” said Crowther.

“Saturday was a frustrating one but I thought we started well.

“They’re a good side and it’s obviously even more difficult when you’re down to 10 men.

“It’s even more frustrating now we know it shouldn’t have happened but we fought hard.

“I thought we were in the game and it was frustrating with the goal they got out of nothing really “We couldn’t get back into it after that but we have to focus on Saturday now.”

The Shrimpers, who sit 15th in the National League standings, travel to 10th placed Altrincham this weekend.

And Crowther cannot wait to get back in action.

“I’ve not played at Altrincham before so I’m really looking forward to the game,” said the defender.

“After Saturday we want to get back out there as quickly as possible but there’s still a lot of football to be played and we’re very much looking up the table.”

“I know it’s two defeats but I think the performances have been positive,” said Crowther.

“We more than matched Charlton and on Saturday we really dug in with 10 men too.

“A goal out of nothing won it for them but we can take a lot from the way we played and that’s what we should be taking into this weekend’s game at Altrincham.

“We shouldn’t be down on ourselves.”