Man of the match award on Blackpool home debut the icing on the cake for on-loan Wolves man Connor Ronan

The on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers man delivered a sterling display in Blackpool's midfield as the Seasiders got back to winning ways against Sol Campbell's side.

While Saturday was all about getting that long-overdue three points, Ronan admits it was a bonus to receive an individual honour at the same time.

“The main thing was the performance but to get Man of the Match just tops it off," the 21-year-old said.

“I thought I played well but as a team we played well too and, all in all, we deserved the win.

“The conditions were tough but I think we managed it quite well. The two strikers judged the ball well coming into them and the midfielders all played off them.

“It worked well and we used the conditions to our advantage at certain stages.

“The conditions were just part of the game and we just had to get on with it.”

Despite making a fast start, Blackpool had to wait until the 37th minute to make the breakthrough with Armand Gnanduillet heading home from Liam Feeney's cross.

The Seasiders appeared to be coasting home when they added a second just after the hour-mark, Gnanduillet completing his double from the penalty spot after Nathan Delfouneso had been brought down.

But Southend ensured a nervy finish when Stephen McLaughlin powered home a long-range wonder strike, but Grayson's men held on for the victory.

Assessing Pool's display, Ronan said: “Our plan was to put the pressure on from the start and try and get an early goal. If it didn’t come, we just had to try and stay calm which is what happened.

“We dominated possession and we created some chances, but we didn’t panic when we had the ball and continued to create.

“When that first goal goes in, it gave us that confidence to try and get the second one.

“We were in control of the game at 2-0 because we were limiting them to minimal chances.

“They put a goal in from 30 yards out which sometimes you can’t do anything about, but after that we stayed calm and composed and saw the game out.”