League One leaders Scunthorpe needed a 79th minute penalty from striker Paul Hayes to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 games.
Until then, in-form visitors Southend had looked set to snatch all three points after skipper Adam Barrett headed them in front from a corner in the 48th minute with his first goal of the season.
In fact, it was one of those games that if the goals had been reversed, or the penalty deserved, most Shrimpers there on the night would have agreed it was a fair result, however the linesmans involvement made certain there was a feeling of injustice at the final whistle.
Former Southend striker Gary Hooper was anxious to impress against his former club and twice went close before testing goalkeeper Adam Federici, who had another cracking game, midway through the first half.
But Hooper missed a real sitter on the stroke of half-time when he headed wide of an open goal after a mistake by Federici.
That's my Hoops, he even got caught off-side for old times sake.
The first period ended with Southend more than holding than own in all areas of the pitch, young Sawyers workrate outdoing everyone on the pitch. (And I said put Macca in, that's why Tilly is the boss!) However, it's the Frenchman Christophe who shades it for me as MOM, his physical strength is incredible at times yet he has the speed of thought to release teammates offensively with a sharp pass.
Revell did miss a good opportunity though but his effort and passing were as good as anything we saw last weekend and a special mention to Simon Francis, a return to form where you honestly didn't notice he was hardly using his left foot!
Scunthorpe were stunned as the visitors took an early second-half lead with virtually their first effort of the game. A decent Robson-Kanu set piece at last, he'd been carrying on from the Swindon match before this effort but his overall game was excellent and we'll be keeping him for a final 27 days more, saw Captain Adam rise majesticly to power home a header from close range to send the Shrimpers behind the goal wild.
As the Iron tried to hit back, Hayes missed two clear-cut opportunities, one a great save with his left foot by the Aussie, and centre-back David Mirfin headed over from almost point-blank range.
The equaliser finally came in controversial fashion when, with 11 minutes left, a linesman spotted a foul by Captain Adam in a crowded box, the refree saw nothing, and Hayes stepped up to drill his spot-kick passed Federici for his seventh goal of the season sending Adam the wrong way.
Maybe there was some pushing and shoving, though Iron boss Nigel Adkins says the video proves it was a head-loke, have to see that one, but they'd be ten penalties a game if these were all given. The times those twats on the line do nothing, give daft off-side decisions, just see what the refs given and agree with him.....then something like this, unbelievable, though sadly in these days of 'respect', not!
Hooper and Hayes were really turning it on together and it was a surprise when Adkins took Hayes off. (More on Adkins and Tilly's views on the game later.)
Still time for Walker, on for the returning Lord who didn't look fully fit, to cut inside and place what looked like the winner beyond Scunny shot stoppper Murphy into the corner of the net, for the Irish international to show why he's destined for greater things, (along with our own Aussie international, Tilly re-signing him until November 7), with a brilliant touch to push it around the post. So close James.
It was tough luck on the, yes, Yellows, (great to hear that sung again), who were magnificent in defence, Clarke oustanding, (news of the re-opening of his contract talks have inspired him for the last couple of games), and stretched their own unbeaten run to seven games while remaining in the play-off zone with a two point gap over MK Dons in 7th.
(Day Tripper to Scunthorpe up Thursday, I should be awake by then!)
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