HALF-TIME: Torquay United 0 Southend United 0
Last updated : 21 February 2011 By westfield shrimper
With only Graham Coughlan replacing poor old Mark Phillips in the starting line-up the main movement is on the subs bench.
The recalled Luke Prosser, back with Blues following a loan spell at Rushden and Diamonds, and the young striker Lyle Della-Verde who was placed on a youth scolarship in December 2010, and replaces the injured Harry Crawford.
Finally, along with the usual suspects, the reserve hat-trick hero, Kyle Asante.
Though Southend saw plenty of possession in the first half there they and their hosts looked unlikely to break the deadlock.
This will be a tough one for the Essex boys, but only goal difference seperates the sides so as long as injuries have not taken too much out of the side they should go into the game with confidence.
An early effort by Torquay defender Guy Branston floated harmlessly over Blues keeper Rhys Evans crossbar, soon after Anthony Grant gets a shot in for the away side who decide to foul him.
Shrimpers left back Peter Gilbert picks up a yellow card for an adjudged poor challenge on Craig Stanley.
Plenty of midfield play with the odd set piece given away, a cross by Sean Clohessy easily picked off by Gulls shot stopper Danny Potter.
At last some real action. Ryan Hall takes the free-kick, Barry Corr gets the shot in, saved by Potter.
Branston tries his luck again, this time with his head, but also clears the bar again!
A corner by Hall is played back to him and he strikes from 12 yards, again Potter is equal.
While Southend are passing it around well they can't break down a Torquay defence that has failed to let in a goal in their last three games which the Devon side has gone on to win.
Still, they keep trying and the old firm of a Hall cross and a Corr header just misses the target on 35 minutes.
Torquay top scorer and the S24 player-to-watch Chris Zebroski at last gets an effort on target for the home side but Evans is perfectly positioned.
Back up the other end as the break approaches and Hall shoots from a Blair Sturrock cross, Potter is equal to it.
Then Corr shoots, Potter again saves easily enough.
The whistle goes, but Southend must have gone into the dressing rooms the happier side.
