New-look Darlington turned pessimism into optimism to give Gary Bennett his first win as manager.

When Quakers won at Roots Hall last season, the star of that particular performance was inevitably Marco Gabbiadini.

But Darlington are more than just a one-man team now.

True, they don't have a striker with the skill and penalty area strength of Gabbiadini, but they've now got a couple of new stars on the horizon, as well as Craig Liddle, who needs no introduction.

He was his usual commanding self, scoring one goal and stopping everything at the back with nothing less than his characteristic total commitment.

Stuart Elliott has made a big impact in midfield, as a ball winner and creator alongside Martin Gray, and is quickly becoming a favourite with the fans.

Striker Lee Nogan, who failed to gain a regular place last season because of his incompatibility with Gabbiadini on the field, is benefiting from having a run in the side.

He scored an excellent goal, hardly misplaced a pass and got back behind the ball when his side were on the defensive.

And that's the keyword now for Darlington - teamwork. They all play as a unit, keep their discipline in attack and defence well, and most importantly, all of them are supporting and helping the manager.

Maybe some of the flair of Gabbiadini and Neil Heaney has gone, but the reduction in flair has been compensated for by an increase in workrate. Hardly anything got through a tigerish midfield and an alert back four which have got the offside trap working well, and Andy Collett only had one serious save to make all afternoon

There's still one or two niggling doubts - some fans would feel happier if there was more height up front - but if Quakers keep on collecting results like this in their two home games this week, then chairman George Reynolds will have a valid point when he says the team is better than last season.

It's still early days, but there are some very encouraging signs. And there's nothing better to cheer up the fans than to win games away from home. The clouds of doubt are slowly disappearing, and being replaced by rays of optimism.

But it could have been different at half time after a substandard 45 minutes in which neither keeper was tested, and an adjoining car boot sale was a serious contender for the afternoon's entertainment.

However, a half-time chat from Bennett and a reminder of those teamwork principles picked Quakers up.

"We didn't pass the ball well at all in the first half, and I told the players that we were giving the ball away too cheaply, which is why Southend kept coming at us. I told them that Southend had played their best, and weren't going to give any more, while we still had plenty of ideas. We had too many ideas and so much movement, while they just had only one ball

"In the second half, we got hold of the ball, passed it around well, and they couldn't get near us.

"Before the game, I was quite confident about coming to a place like Southend and getting a result.

"My philosophy is that if we keep clean sheets, then we'll always score goals, because we're always creating chances. Keeping clean sheets, like we showed on Saturday, will win us games.

"In every game so far, the defence has been comfortable, and the players are playing within themselves. The ball hasn't been coming into our box and going just past the post. But credit also has to go to the midfield and the front two.

"I encourage the players to contribute. I talk to them during training about the systems we play. I can't get it right all the time, so I need their help as well. The only way to find out is to talk about it."

Liddle and Nogan have now got two goals apiece this season, and Bennett said: "I've always said that Lee Nogan is one of my main strikers. He brings others into the game, and since pre-season I've always said that he will score goals.

"Our goals are shared out amongst the team. Last season when Marco Gabbiadini didn't score, we were shattered. It was a case of who's going to score a goal, and we would hope that Peter Duffield would do so.

"That's not the case now. Players like Gary Himsworth, Stuart Elliott, Glenn Naylor and Gary Williamson will all score goals - in fact, I expect all my midfield players to score. It's only a matter of time.

"I'm pleased with five points from three games. In our previous two league games, we've been unlucky and not had the rub of the green. We've dictated games and created a lot of chances, but not put the ball in the back of the net.

"If we pick six points up this week, then we'll have done well."

The first half was a non event, although Southend had the edge.

Goals: Liddle (56 mins, 0-1), Nogan (67 mins, 0-2)

Bookings: Heckingbottom, Liddle, Maher (all fouls).

Referee: Paul Armstrong (Thatcham).

Attendance: 3,444

SOUTHEND (3-5-2): Woodman 6;, Roget 6, Whelan 7, Tinkler 6; Booty 6 (Cross 84 mins) Houghton 6 (Morley 69, 6), Maher 6, LEE 7, Searle 6; Tolson 6 (Forbes 75), Carruthers 6. Subs (not used): Capleton (G/K), Fitzpatrick.

DARLINGTON (4-4-2): Collett 7;, Reed 7, LIDDLE 9, Aspin 7, Heckingbottom 7; Himsworth 7, Gray 7, Naylor 7, Elliott 7; Nogan 8 (Hjorth 81), Williamson 7 (Kaak 61, 6). Subs (not used): Pepper, Angel, Van Der Geest (G/K)

Man of the match: Craig Liddle - once again the pick of the team in an impressive performance by the Quakers