Brown: We came through a battle

Phil Brown admitted Southend left Victoria Park with the 'scars of war' after a 1-0 win over Hartlepool in their League Two clash.

With six games to go the Shrimpers have solidified their hold on fifth spot, while creating an outside chance of an automatic promotion spot. They created such a position thanks to a tight win in the north-east, the only goal coming in the 53rd minute when winger Will Atkinson fired past Scott Flinders after some shaky Hartlepool defending. The home side, who are still in search of vital survival points, pressed as the game wore on but could not conjure up a goal despite hitting the underside of the crossbar. Brown said: "That was nervous towards the end because of the kitchen-sink effect. Hartlepool are fighting for their lives and they made it very difficult with 5,000 fans behind them. "It was interesting to see who stood up to the plate and you look at the back four and our goalkeeper - who looks like he has a broken nose after a few rounds with Mike Tyson. "These are the scars of battle, these are the scars of war and you have to put your body on the line to win these games. We knew it was going to be a war of attrition. "The two centre-halves had to be on top of their game with Marlon Harewood coming on with his physical presence. It was music to my ears to see their physio come on so often because it means we were committed." Opposite number Ronnie Moore rued the "cruel nature of football" after the defeat - which snaps a five-game unbeaten run that has lifted Pools out of the drop zone -but said it would not bring his team down ahead of their trip to fellow strugglers York next week. He said: "Football can be a cruel game and when you have given what we gave and come away with nothing to show for it then it can be soul-destroying. "The lads have the belief and now we just need a bit of luck. We have had some fortune in recent weeks but if you work as hard as we do then we will make our own. "We are looking forward to next week. With 2,000 fans behind us York will know they have been in a game. "I will tell the lads to get on the ball and enjoy it. It is a cup final if you like, if we take three points it will vastly improve our position."