Railwaymen wreck Shrimpers play-off hopes

We knew Blues boss Paul Sturrock had to make some changes due to injury but poor Rhys Evans pays for his error in the defeat at Lincoln City by being replaced by Glenn Morris in goal.

The other surprise is the return of Luke Prosser at centre-half, allowing Chris Barker, who has played so well in that position, to take over from Peter Gilbert.

In central midfield the expected starting line-up of Lee Sawyer and Anthony Grant, potentially an exciting one, Snoop Dog taking the place of Captain Craig Easton, meaning Chris Barker is the new skipper.

In a game the Shrimpers must try and win they started brightly, winning a corner in the second minute, as usual sent over by Ryan Hall.

After that the game settled in to a period of broken down attacks, annoying free-kicks and the odd offside, slowing the game down to the detriment of any enjoyment for the spectator.

On eight minutes though the woodwork was struck with a header by Crewe skipper David Artell before the game settled in to it's usual routine.

Lee Sawyer was his usual busy self with no little skill, and won another corner as the game approached the break allowing Hall to cross but the incoming Ferdinand was adjudged to have fouled.

It was the former Chelsea youth that won a free-kick for Hall to force Alex keeper Rhys Taylor to at least warm his hands.

At last, we see the S24 player-to-watch, Crewe top scorer Clayton Donaldson , try and liven up the evening. He shoots wide right.

The crowd woke up again when Lee Bell's free-kick found the woodwork but were still glad when the referee blew the whistle for half-time so we can least get a cup of bovril.

So the second period, and it must get better, it can't get much worse, though after the dramas of the weekend Luggy is probably pleased at the events so far, no stupid goal given away, no Luke Prosser error, yet.

Sure enough, with both sides needing a win to rescue any hoped for play-off hopes, the pace did liven up a touch.

Lee Bell shoots high over the bar for the Railwaymen; for the Shrimpers, Ryan Hall has a 25 yarder, Blair Sturrock soon follows him, Barry Corr also high, but closer, Anthony Grant wide right, back up the other end Danny Shelley finishes this lttle cameo of attacking footy by finishing where it started, striking the ball into the crowd behind the goal!

Still, there's definitely more urgency in the game being picked up by the crowd who are enjoying some action.

Coming up to the hour another Sawyer won corner taken by Hall, cleared by Luke Murphy.

Shelley again, keeping his effort down but Morris saves.

The play switches, Hall and Sturrock both see shots stopped by Taylor, before Donaldson for Crewe shoots into the grateful grasp of Morris.

Something's gonna give and on on 65 minutes it does for the home side.

Donaldson threads a good pass to Shaun Miller who finds the bottom right hand corner of Morris's net from inside the box.

The goal lifts the team and the Gresty Road crowd who watch a short period of Alex pressure without a clear cut chance which allows the Shrimpers some hope, and 16-goal Corr tries to force an equaliser to no avail.

Hall and Miller swap crosses at either end before Donaldson has a long range effort that hits the bar again for the third time, then on 73 minutes Kane Ferdinand sees his shot saved by Taylor, and soon after he tries again but this time it's blocked and Hall takes another corner which is cleared.

Enter the last ten minutes and Luggy knows the game is almost up, Harry Crawford and Louie Soares replace Sturrock and Ferdinand repectively.

Sawyer trieds his luck but like many shots from outside the box this evening it sails harmelessly over the bar.

The last five now and Luke Murphy forces Morris into a save, the wrong end of the pitch for the travelling faithful, Kyle Asante comes on for Hall.

Finally the whistle blows for no side and with another defeat that may still keep the Shrimpers only seven points off the play-off pace, games are slowly but surely running out. 8 wins out of 10?

Whatever, victory against the Bulls of Hereford Friday evening is vital, if just to stop the rot, let alone rescue any late promotions dreams.

Southend player markings: Morris - 7, Clohessy - 6 , Coughlan - 6, Prosser - 5, Barker - 7, Ferdinand - 5 (Soares 81), Sawyer - 6, Grant - 6, Hall - 6 (Asante 88), Sturrock - 5 (Crawford - 80) , Corr - 6. 

Referee: Mr. G. Eltringham - 7.

Competition: Npower League Two Date: Tuesday, 15th March 2011 Kick off: 19:45 Venue: The Alexandra Stadium
	Crewe Alex. Miller 65	1 - 0	Southend Utd.