Southend have had a similar season to Doncaster in that they started slowly before launching themselves into promotion contention over the second half of the campaign.

But whereas Rovers faded towards the end of a long and arduous season Southend just seemed to get stronger and stronger.

They only lost once in their last 15 games and are unbeaten in 11 matches at Roots Hall since New Year's Day.

Southend were in the doldrums before club favourite Steve Tilson took over as manager from former Rovers boss Steve Wignall in November, 2003.

Within a few months Tilson had guided the team to their first national final in the LDV Vans Trophy.

The following season they made two appearances at the Millennium Stadium when they finished runners up in the LDV Vans Trophy again before beating Lincoln City in the League Two promotion play-off final.

In 2006 Tilson continued his remarkable sequence of success when the Shrimpers clinched the League One championship and beat Manchester United in the League Cup the same season for good measure.

But they were unable to maintain their sharp upward curve when they came straight back down last year and had to sell star striker Freddy Eastwood to Wolves to ease their financial problems.

Matches between the two teams this season have produced plenty of goals with Rovers losing 3-2 at Roots Hall in September after being in front before winning 3-1 in convincing style at the Keepmoat three months later.

But if Southend's previous experience in the play-offs is anything to go by the semi-final will be a tight and tense affair.

When they gained promotion from League Two they drew the away leg 0-0 at Northampton before winning the home game 1-0 with a penalty from Eastwood. They did not conceded a goal in the final either eventually triumphing 2-0 with two strikes in extra time.

Tilson has had the luxury of resting key players towards the end of the season and Player of the Year Nick Bailey was only named as substitute for the last match against Port Vale.

The combative 23-year-old has had a superb first season after signing from Barnet for £175,000 in the summer and has notched up 11 goals in all competitions.

Former Everton and England Under 21 centre back Peter Clarke finished runner up in the Player of the Year and has also had an excellent campaign alongside fiercely competitive skipper Adam Barrett - and both men are dangerous at set pieces.

Star man in attack for the Seasiders is 23-year-old Lee Barnard who has notched nine times in 11 starts since signing in January from Tottenham.

Southend have relied heavily on goals from midfield with another former Tottenham trainee Mark Gower, and Irishman Alan McCormack, also having notched nine goals apiece.


SOUTHEND UNITED
Ground: Roots Hall
Manager: Steve Tilson
Nickname: The Shrimpers
Results v Rovers this season: 22/9/07 (H) 3-2 (Barrett 25, McCormack 49,
Clarke 59 pen); 29/12/07 (A) 1-3 (MacDonald 18)
League positions 2007-2008: Season high - 3rd, Season low - 23th
Average attendance: 8,173
Top league scorer: Nick Bailey, Lee Barnard, Mark Gower - 9
Website: www.southendunited.premiumtv.co.uk