PETER GILBERT says the same hard-working template that took Argyle to two title-winning campaigns is paying dividends for Paul Sturrock's Southend United.

Sturrock's Shrimpers are chasing promotion to League One just 18 months after suffering a similar financial implosion to the one that has led to the Pilgrims' Football League status hanging by a thread.

Former Argyle full-back Gilbert said the club's plight filled him with sadness and frustration.

He also said he rued the 'waste of all that hard work' which cost the Pilgrims their Championship status in 2009/10, relegation from League One last season, and also a seven-month spell in administration.

Gilbert admitted he had lots of affection for Argyle and his two years (2003-05) with them under Sturrock.

The Newcastle-born defender was part of the Pilgrims' Division Two (now League One) championship-winning squad and earned a call up for Wales under-21s during his time at Home Park

But Gilbert said sympathy would be in short supply from the visitors tomorrow.

The 28-year-old said his Southend team-mates were still smarting after a 4-1 defeat at home to Swindon Town in midweek, the Shrimpers' second successive defeat.

Gilbert said Southend were fully aware, though, that Argyle were a much-changed team from the one which lost 2-0 at Roots Hall on September 17, leading to then manager Peter Reid being dismissed.

The need for league points tomorrow, he said, is paramount for both teams, if for different reasons.

Gilbert told Herald Sport: "We're expecting a tough game at Home Park, as Argyle need to win and obviously so do we after Tuesday's defeat.

"Argyle need the points to move up the table and away from relegation while we need to keep our foot on the gas at the other end of the table.

"Against Swindon, we forgot the good habits that have put us in a position to challenge for promotion, and we were shell-shocked afterwards.

"But we've got a very positive team spirit here, like we had under the gaffer (Sturrock) at Plymouth not so long ago.

"It's that work ethic and template that served us so well and successfully at Argyle, that has worked for us here at Southend.

"But although we're in the top three in League Two, we've achieved nothing yet, although promotion is our aim.

"I learned at Plymouth, that you must grab opportunities when they come along.

"So, we're coming to Plymouth to win – that's a priority."

Another familiar face in the Southend dug-out is first-team coach Graham Coughlan – a formidable centre-back in Argyle's rise to English football's second tier between 2001 and 2004.

Other former Pilgrims in the visitors' camp include their club captain and defender Chris Barker, forward Blair Sturrock and in-form striker Liam Dickinson (see One To Watch).

And, of course, Gilbert, who admitted Argyle's fall from grace had been tough to take.

"Obviously, I was watching from a distance but it made me feel very sad, personally," said Gilbert.

"All that hard work and pride in taking Argyle to the Championship and getting established there, undone in a couple of seasons.

"Hopefully, Argyle have turned the corner and will pull up the table – it hurts to see them in this position."