Striker Lee Barnard is relieved that the monkey is now off the Southend players backs after securing their first win of the season on Friday night.

Barnard scored the perfect hattrick during the 3-0 win against Leyton Orient.

The former Tottenham trainee scored from the penalty spot with his right foot, grabbed a second with a header before completing the superb performance with a deflected left foot shot in the dying moments.

"It is a great feeling, that was my first ever hattrick, but getting the three points was more important," Barnard told Blues Player.

"We feel on the whole we have played quite well since the start of the season.

"We needed that first win because it plays on your mind a little bit and thankfully we now have that."

Despite the comprehensive win against the O's Barnard was disappointed with the Blues first half display.

"The first 45 minutes we didn't play well and we were really slow and not at it," he said.

"In the second half we were much better and we started to dominate the game without being caused too many problems."

Barnard's first goal came from the penalty spot after referee Trevor Kettle adjudged that he was brought down in the box by Orient skipper Stephen Purches.

Having duly converted from the spot, Barnard was forced to retake the penalty because of encroachment.

However, the Blues striker kept his cool - deciding to go the other way - and put United in the driving seat.

Lee said: "There was pressure on me to score the penalty because we are playing Leyton Orient in a local derby and we needed a win. I had to retake it but I felt confident and thankfully I put it away.

"Adam (Barrett) doesn't really kick the ball much with his right foot but he has put in a lovely cross to the back post and I put away the second.

"And then I'll take the third goal, don't you worry about that! It did take a deflection but it was on target so it's definitely mine."