Southend United 0-2 Newcastle: Rafa Benitez's men continue strong pre-season... but why was Phil Brown climbing above the stands?

Phil Brown will be looking to lift Southend up the EFL ladder this season, and he has started pre-season with an ascent of his own.

The former Hull City boss watched his side's friendly against Newcastle from the TV gantry at Roots Hall, after making a perilous climb up a ladder before the game.

Brown, who will serve a touchline ban for the first four games of the season, was thought to be testing out the vantage point ahead of his side's League One campaign kicking off.

And he saw his side, who finished 15th in League One last season, put in an encouraging display against Newcastle, before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.

MATCH FACTS 

Southend United (4-2-3-1): Oxley; White, Trialist A (Trialist C 46 mins), Barrett (Thompson 46), Coker (Kyprianou 79); Bridge, Leonard (Bedford 82); Atkinson (Batlokwa 79), McGlashan, Williams (Cox 62); Trialist B (Mooney 62)

Subs not used: Smith, Demetriou, O'Neill, McLaughlin, Wabo

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Janmaat (Sterry 62), Mbemba (Hanley 62), Lascelles, Dummett; Anita (Thauvin 79), Hayden (Colback 62); Aarons (Armstrong 62), Shelvey (Saivet 73), Perez (Mitrovic 73); Gayle (Gouffran 62)

Subs not used: Sels

Goals: Anita 50, Gouffran 78

Rafa Benitez's side dominated possession but struggled to break Southend down in a goalless first half, but took the lead soon after the break with a long-range strike from Vurnon Anita.

The newly-relegated Championship side put out a strong side, including Jonjo Shelvey, Daryl Janmaat and Chancel Mbemba, as well as new signing Dwight Gayle, while new signing Grant Hanley made his debut off the bench.

But they failed to create many chances against a packed home defence, with Ayoze Perez's clever touch inside and shot the closest they came to scoring before the half-time whistle.

Anita's unstopable drive put them ahead on 50 minutes, before Yoan Gouffran burst into the box and fired home a second 11 minutes from time.

It continued Newcastle's unbeaten pre-season, as they prepare for life outside the top flight for the first time since 2010.

For their part, the home side rarely did more than defend, David Mooney having their best chance in the final minute, forcing Karl Darlow into a fine save.

Brown, who was back on the touchline in the second half, has been linked this week with a move to join up with former boss Sam Allardyce as part of the England set-up, but his preparations suggest he is still expecting to be at Southend come the start of the season.