Cameron Belford: Southend United can be among movers and shakers

Belford has kept clean sheets in both of his matches since joining Blues on loan from the Shakers.

And he has already been impressed by the standard of his new team-mates.

“I went up with Bury from this league last season and this team is definitely capable of doing the same,” said Belford, 23.

“There are some good players in the side and if we can continue to stick together like we did in the game against Crawley on Monday night then we definitely have a chance of promotion.”

Belford produced a man-of-the-match display to help nine-man Blues draw 0-0 with Crawley Town at Roots Hall.

The shot-stopper kept out a second half spot-kick from Billy Clarke before also pouncing on the rebound.

And he was thrilled to help Paul Sturrock’s side secure an important share of the spoils.

“It was a very good point for us,” said Belford.

“They are the types of games and results which win you promotion and if we go on to finish in the top three by a point it will be that game you look back on.

“We showed great character and to keep a good side like Crawley out with just nine men was fantastic.”

Belford was also delighted by the clean sheet and keeping out Clarke’s penalty, which came midway through the second half after Chris Barker had handled Clarke’s initial shot on the goal-line.

“I think we would all have preferred Chris to handball it because there’s always a chance the penalty won’t go in,” said Belford.

“It’s a difficult one because you’re then down to 10 men but I just tried to delay the penalty taker for as long as I possibly could.

“I made up my mind to go that way and luckily enough I was able to block it and get the rebound as well.

“To begin with I didn’t know where the ball had gone so it was a nice feeling to keep it out.

“But the whole team deserves credit and we will need to work hard like that again when we play Accrington Stanley on Saturday.”