Tilson revealed in his post-match interview, reported on the official Southend United website, www.southendunited.co.uk, that he had managed to come to an agreement with Premiership side Portsmouth, thrashed 5-1 by Arsenal in the F.A. Cup this evening, over an extension to winger Carl Pettefer’s deal with the Shrimpers. 
The former Exeter City loanee will now remain at Roots Hall until April 10th, having featured in every match since making his debut as a substitute on the day of his signature – the LDV Vans Trophy area final first leg at Layer Road against Colchester. The right-sided midfielder is now eligible to play in the final of the competition at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Sunday March 21st against Second Division Blackpool.
Meanwhile, Tilson also revealed that he would be speaking to fellow Third Division side Northampton Town about a similar arrangement with the Cobblers over striker Lawrie Dudfield. It is understood that the Sixfields Stadium club want a permanent deal to be constructed by Blues, which would be likely to include a fee as they claim Dudfield still has a season to run on his current deal.
For his part, the forward told anxious fans at Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium who asked if he were to remain in southeast Essex, “Hopefully I’ll sign next week”. We at The Little Gazette certainly hope that that is the case, but until Tilson has spoken to Northampton in greater detail to thrash out a deal, the 23-year-old’s seventh match for the Seasiders was his last.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com