Maher's making most of chance

KEVIN MAHER has urged Southend to make the most of a golden chance to escape non-league ahead of schedule in today’s National League Play-Off Final.

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The Shrimpers have plummeted down the pyramid after years of turmoil.

But the arrival of COSU - Custodians of Southend United - last summer finally gave the club and their long-suffering fans some light at the end of the tunnel.

Boss Maher, though, admits Southend weren't expecting to go up this year.

The Blues face Oldham - another club who have fallen on hard times - at Wembley for the right to return to the EFL.