Chris Barker was a relieved man to learn that his transfer from Plymouth Argyle to Southend Untied had beaten the transfer deadline.

The transfer window for permanent moves slammed shut at 6pm last night and Blues managed to secure Barker's signing minutes before the close of business.

But it was a nerve wracking wait for confirmation from the football authorities that the deal had gone through in time, with final confirmation received at 7pm last night.

"The deal literally got done in the last few minutes so it was a relief to get it through in time," said Barker following Southend's Johnstone's Paint Trophy penalty shoot-out win against Gillingham.

"I have really enjoyed myself over the last month; we are trying to build a club again.

"I have signed for two years at least and hopefully it might be longer.

"This deal gives me some personal stability. I had a year left at Plymouth but I wasn't really wanted down there.

"So hopefully we can now push on and bring some success back to the club."