Before the kick-off Simon Francis picked up his player-of-the-year award while Blues boss Steve Tilson handed out to young Harry Crawford his first full senior start for the injured Francis Laurent.

For the rest of the hamstring horror victims, Jean-Yves M'Voto started in the place of Adam Barrett, while another former Under-18 star, Stuart O'Keefe, slotted into Jean-Francois Christophe's midfield place.

Southend believed they had taken the lead as early as the fourth minute when O'Keefe set Macca free, who lobbed the ball over Hatters keeper Lloyd Rigby but the assistant in front of the East stand had his flag raised for offside. Great move though, and the right decision.

That was about it for the first 45 as the dead rubber match took on the feel of a testimonial in the Spring sunshine.

Chances for Macca and James Vincent for Stockport came and went and David Poole should have done better, hitting over the bar from close range, minutes into the second half.

So that looked to be that with the bottom two sides in League One happy to share the points, however failed Blues loanee striker Jabo Ibehre had other ideas and opened the scoring in the 71st minute after spending the time before that falling over a lot without a Blue shirt near him!

A free kick from the right from Danny Pilkington was met by the head of Ibehre who found the back of the net far too easily.

This livened up the singing away support behind Steve Mildenhall's goal, which was matched by the Blue Voice faithful that were taking advantage of being allowed into the North Bank for the second time, hopefully to be kept for most of next season.

It also livened events on the pitch and four minutes later the Shrimpers were level, and it was that boy Crawford who got the final touch from a great cross from Johnny Herd after County's Danny Swailes did everything bar actually put the ball into his own net, the second time in the game he had done his best to do so.

Matt Paterson had come off the bench for the soon to be departed Scott Vernon, back to the Farmers for him please, and the former Saints striker immediatly sprung into action with a brilliant volley, equally matched by the save from Rigby who just got to the ball with an outstretched hand to push it over the bar.

Crawford and Paterson, we have seen the future.

And with a minute left on the clock young Matt was to be involved again with when he went past two bemused Stockport defenders to put over a beautiful left wing cross that was begging for someone to score, and McCormack obliged, heading home from the edge of the six yard area.

A consolation win maybe, and only the second this miserable year, but try and say that to the majority in the very good 7,000 plus crowd who at least could start their post-match celebrations with a smile on their face.

More so than some of the players as they took off on the obligatory end-of-season trip around Roots Hall to thank the loyal Shrimper support, how many will we see come August?

Onwards to St.Mary's then for the farewell to third tier football party, and hopefully a promotion challange with Tilly at the helm starting in three months time, with England as world champions would be nice, but I'm not greedy.

Southend player markings: Mildenhall - 6, Francis - 6, M'Voto - 7, Herd - 6, O'Keefe - 7, McCormack - 7, Grant - 6, Moussa - 6, Vernon - 5 (Paterson - 7), Crawford - 8.

Referee: Mr. C Sarginson - 7.