Manager Paul Sturrock admitted Southend United's 2-1 win against Torquay was probably their best performance at home to date.

Blues went into the break at half-time 2-0 up thanks to superb strikers from Anthony Grant and Josh Simpson.

But United made hard work of securing their first three points at home as the Gulls pulled one back through Chris Zebroski to set-up a tense finish at Roots Hall.

"The first half was very sweet, but the second half was very sour," Sturrock told Blues Player after the final whistle.

"Torquay are a good side and they came with a game-plan and I thought our plan worked very well in the first half.

"They came back, changed their system and we didn't adapt, took 10 yards further back when their big lad [Martin Gritton] came on and we ended up defending in our box too much.

"So there's things to learn from the game, but the first half was probably the best we've played here."

Grant fired an early contender for goal of the season past Torquay keeper Scott Bevan on 15 minutes before Simpson added an equally impressive second two minutes before half-time.

And Sturrock believes the on loan midfielder could hit ten this season from midfield.

"Both players have that in their locker," he said. "I think Josh could get me 10 goals this season from midfield and it was an unbelievable finish from Anthony.

"It was important that we got off the mark here at Roots Hall otherwise it might have turned into a nightmare for us.

"Bilel (Mohsni) decided to have one of his zany halves in the second 45 as he was all over the place but the important thing was to get the victory.

"People are now starting to see that we aren't going to be easy meat. With the ability we have in the team I think we will now start climbing the league."