Southend manager Phil Brown was delighted to see his side bounce back from FA Cup humiliation to beat Hartlepool 1-0 at Roots Hall.
The Shrimpers were seen off by Conference club Chester last weekend but David Worrall's third goal in five games meant they immediately got back to winning ways against the bottom of the table Pools.And that delighted Brown.
"It was a massive win for us after the disappointment of the FA Cup which I believe we've put behind us now," said the Southend boss.
"We had the players in at 9am on Sunday morning, not as a punishment, but to talk things through about where we were going and what we wanted to achieve.
"I think they took all of that on board, they've trained well all week and I thought the scoreline flattered Hartlepool if I'm honest because I felt quite comfortable out there.
"Dave Worrall won it for us in the end and it was a great goal. He's in a good vein of form and I think he's already scored more goals in a season than he ever has before.
"He took this one very well indeed but Jack Payne also deserved great credit for the run he made off the ball to enable him to get the space he needed to shoot."
The Shrimpers, who remain seventh in the League Two table, shaded the first half with Worrall, Kevan Hurst and Barry Corr all having efforts saved by Hartlepool goalkeeper Scott Flinders.
At the other end, Southend shot-stopper Daniel Bentley did well to keep out Nicky Featherstone but the Shrimpers were back on top after the break with Michael Timlin having a powerful, long range shot impressively saved by Flinders.
But there was nothing the keeper could do in the 65th minute when Worrall collected a pass from Corr before charging through to score with a low, left footed shot from 12 yards.
Hartlepool initially rallied after going behind with Charlie Wyke having a long range shot pushed wide of the left post by Bentley before Bradley Walker fired inches wide of the same upright.
However, Southend were rarely threatened after that and Hartlepool boss Paul Murray, who has taken just one point from his first three games in charge, has called on his side to be far braver.
"Giving it away like we did for the goal was poor and we need to organise ourselves much better that that," said Murray.
"There were some positives out there but I'm still disappointed with the way we played in that second half.
"We need to be better receiving the ball under pressure.
"We need to move better off the ball and we need to have more balls because we need players who want to get a grip of the game."