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Win on Roots Hall return

Gavin Browne
24/11/2008

KEVIN Maher and Chris Taylor were both celebrating after Latics earned their second away victory in seven days with a 2-1 victory at Southend United.

While Taylor hauled Athletic level with his eighth goal of the season, Maher was happy enough to take three points on his first return to Roots Hall.

Having left the Shrimpers over the summer after a decade and 454 games, Maher had been unsure about the reception he would get from the home fans.

He need not have worried as United's former captain was afforded a warm welcome back - only for his new team to inflict a first home league defeat in 13 games on the hosts.

Maher said: "It (the reception) was great. You're never sure what's going to happen but I was here for 10 years and it was a privilege to captain the side in their most successful period.

"I was grateful to the fans, it was a lovely reception. It felt weird because I haven't been back since I left but the most important thing was that we won the game."

As for Taylor, he was just happy to leave with a win after a lengthy journey the day before and an indifferent first-half performance. That was remedied by two goals in four second-half minutes for the visitors, Taylor sparking the revival with a header from Andy Liddell's corner.

He revealed: "I'll be honest, the trip took us seven hours and I felt a bit leggy first half but I can't speak for anyone else.

"You have to dig in at times. The conditions were never going to make it too pretty but if you dig in, sometimes you get your rewards.

"I don't know about being good with headers, it was the right place at the right time."