Craven's Marks Out Of Ten

GK Darryl Flahavan| Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 1 | Rating: 6

It would be easy to simply degrade Flahavan for the slip that allowed Jamie Tolley perhaps the softest goal he will score in his professional career. There simply must have been extenuating circumstances – either the ball swerved wickedly or he was unsighted by a defender. Otherwise, it was a rick too far. Made a fantastic save at the feet of Duane Darby and then another from a powerful header thereafter to even things out, but then should have come off struggling with what seemed to be a hamstring strain.

RB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 89 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Hunt proved that he could do an adequate job at right-back, and his display makes Steve Tilson’s team selection very difficult on Saturday. Duncan Jupp has been poor in recent fixtures, but appears to be a natural selection for Tilly, which now means that he has to choose between Hunt and Mark Bentley, who was equally impressive. Hunt did get caught out a couple of times – certainly no more than Jupp – but unlike the man he replaced, was able to get back, and he moved forward and passed with more conviction and purpose than the former Luton Town trialist.

CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

‘Spinner’ had a solid game, and certainly nowhere near as bad as his excursion to Gay Meadow some ten days previously. However, he remains someone who is not wholly convincing, and Andy Edwards deserves to get a good run at the centre-back position. Prior has immense aerial ability, but there are times when the few months that Eagle has on him would be handy! Luckily was not tested too much by Rodgers and Darby, but there were still some gaping holes in the heart of defence brought about by his lack of pace.

CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Another good game for the former Belfairs pupil whose homecoming has been a huge success. A measure of his confidence were a couple of magnificent bursts through the middle of the pitch which ended with decent lay-offs or a token effort on goal. Did leave the Shrimpers defence horribly exposed on one occasion, but that was at 4-1, and can be excused for going in search of another goal. One particular shot curled away from Scott Howie and really tested the custodian.

LB Nicky Nicolau | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Not totally convincing. Che Wilson will not be too fearful after an average display from the 21-year-old. Nicolau still makes many more defensive errors than Wilson, and whilst he will contend that he did not concede a penalty like his rival for the left-back slot, he remains a much better player going forwards that he is going towards his own goal.

RM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Just above average display from the former Portsmouth player, which was enhanced by a couple of sublime moments towards the end of the game when the match was effectively already done. The first was in the Shrews’ half, when a pinpoint cross onto the head of fellow flank man Mark Gower was poorly nodded over, and then the second was in his own penalty area when, without Barrett who had seared forward, he got the key foot in to stop Luke Rodgers getting a shot away.

CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Struggled for a long time to really impose himself upon the game, a statement nullified in many ways by a simple finish from just inside the penalty area as he stroked home a Gower pass with aplomb to leave Howie with no chance. Spent large periods out of the match and, for a man with his energy and enthusiasm, that is a disappointment, but the ex-Dagenham man is still bringing himself back from injury, and was not helped by a series of rough Salop challenges.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

The captain gave an assured display, probably best summed up by the fact that you didn’t really notice him. Southend completely dominated the midfield battle, and this despite Maher and Bentley not being on tip-top form. They did what was required of them, and Maher joined Beno in a box-to-box role that kept the game ticking over from the Shrimpers’ point of view. Almost scored a rare goal when he struck the post late on with a firm strike.

LM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 2 | Rating: 7.5

Good game from Gower, who set up the final two goals after Eastwood had gone solo for the opener and Gray won the penalty that he then converted. The third goal was a simple pass from the playmaker to Eastwood, the fourth a fantastic run that saw another simple touch to Bentley, who made no mistake with his finish. On both occasions the emphasis was on cutting in from the left, but the devastating effect that he had on the Cobblers was not resurrected as he fired wildly off target, culminating in that wayward header.

CF Freddy Eastwood | Mins on pitch: 89 | Gls: 2 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

MotM: Well, this performance might just add another £5,000 to his transfer fee from Grays Athletic, although we are assured that the two clubs have agreed a fee. Eastwood scored a simply majestic opening goal, jinxing through the Shrewsbury defence with ease, and then getting a little helping hand from Stuart Whitehead as the last man tried to get a vital tackle in.

His second was the reason why a number of Football League clubs have been trailing him – a goal completely out of the blue. It was almost like a cricketer claiming a catch on a bump ball for the crowd when Eastwood fired at goal and then raised his hands to the sky, but he had in fact fired low past Howie – at his near post.

Could have had a hat-trick as an effort with a beautiful, and trademark, first touch, brought the ball under his control and he tucked into the net, only for the linesman’s flag to be debatably up, and then blemished his copybook by hitting the rebound of Maher’s shot against the upright horribly wide, though he may have spotted the referee’s assistant again.

CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 70 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8

Yet another goal for Gray, who now has three in three games and is showing why he is so highly-rated at the club. Shows the speed now of a former England schoolboy sprinter, and got the reward for a number of excellent runs when slotted through by Maher and being shoved over by Dave Ridler, who was amazingly not cautioned. The main thing was that Gray tucked away the penalty – which he did with masses of confidence. Taken off as a precaution for Saturday.

CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 20 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

It must be tough for Dudfield, who is a natural forward, to be restricted to twenty minutes here and a quarter-of-an-hour there. He never seems to get enough time to impress, and whilst he could maybe have put himself out a bit more after replacing Gray, he does not have that telepathic understanding with Eastwood that the 24-year-old does, and put in a distinctly average performance.

RB Andy Edwards | Minutes on pitch: 1 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

One minute on for Lewis Hunt was not the ninety he should have got in place of Spencer Prior, and life must be frustrating for the veteran of nearly 600 League and Cup matches.

CF James Corbett | Minutes on pitch: 1 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

No time at all – brought on for Eastwood to give the striker a standing ovation from the East Stand – but the youngster was already down the tunnel!