Southend United may have tried out a new formation at Leyton Orient, but Steve Tilson believes it was the "workmanlike performance" of the players that helped them pick up a 2-1 win.

The Blues chief saw the team go a goal behind in the second half, but the players gave the perfect response to score twice and pick up a first away win in eight games to please the manager.

"It was nice to get an away win today," Steve told Blues Player.

"We went seven games without getting a win or a point away from home, so it was a great three points.

"We set up to play 4-3-3 with the ball and 4-5-1 without the ball and that frustrated Orient.

"They played a lot of long balls into our box, but we coped well.

"You would like to think the system worked, but I think it was more down to hard work that we won today.

"It was a workmanlike performance and it gives us some breathing space in the table.

"We gave away a poor goal, as Granty has taken too many touches and we lost possession to allow them to score, but from our point of view, it was a great time to equalise just two minutes later through Adam.

"Macca has then come up with the winner, although Barney is trying to claim it!

"This win is a great boost to us to take into the New Year."