KEVAN Hurst has labelled tomorrow’s clash with promotion rivals Exeter City as a crucial game for Southend United.

The fifth placed Grecians are currently one point and one place above Paul Sturrock’s side in the League Two standings.

And Hurst is keen to jump above them with victory this weekend.

“We need to get points on board in the league again and while of our matches are important I think the one tomorrow at Exeter is crucial,” said Hurst, 27.

“We’ve lost our lost couple of games in the league so we need to get that sorted as soon as possible and with them being so close to us in the league we need to get a good result.

“We’ve played well in the last couple of cup games so our confidence is high again but now we need to go and take that in to the league.”

Hurst will also be hoping to play a prominent part in that happening by creating chances for his chances at St.James’ Park.

The winger has made more goals than any other professional player in the country so far this season and made Barry Corr’s first against Oxford United on Tuesday night.

However, Hurst feels his team-mates deserve praise for converting his crosses.

“If we just had a 5’8’’ tall striker who couldn’t head the ball then my crosses wouldn’t matter at all,” said Hurst.

“But we have Barry Corr, Ryan Cresswell and Gavin Tomlin has scored a few headers too so we have the players that finish off the chances and they deserve just as much credit as me.”