SOUTHEND United hero Stephen Humphrys was so focused on Saturday’s clash with Fleetwood Town he forgot it was soon to be his birthday!

The striker, who scored twice in the 3-3 draw at Roots Hall, turned 22 on Sunday.

But Humphrys had to be reminded of his own big day.

“I’ve not even been thinking about it,” said Humphrys.

“In fact, I was walking into the stadium before the game and a little girl gave me a card.

“I thought ‘I wonder what that’s for’ and then she said happy birthday for Sunday.

“So she knew but I didn’t.

“But I had been so focused on the game and the result and I hadn’t really thought about it.

“The result could have been better but we’ll take it against a very good Fleetwood team and it’s something for us to build on.”

Humphrys scored twice in the second half to help the Shrimpers pick up their first point of the season.

And his performance was praised by Blues’ caretaker boss Gary Waddock.

“I was delighted for Stephen,” said Waddock.

“Strikers are judged on goals and he’s produced. We want more out of possession from him and we’ve spoken to him about that but it was a very good afternoon for him.”

And Waddock was also pleased to see the fit-again Stephen McLaughlin back among the goals.

“Macca has been out of the side injured and we’ll have to manage him but on his day he’s a good player and a real threat,” said Waddock.

“It was good to see him get the goal and hopefully there is more to come.”

McLaughlin’s goal was his first in the League since September 2018.