Ten men Blues earn point despite Stockport stunner

Last updated : 12 October 2008 By Shrimpers24

Supersub Leon McSweeney earned Stockport County a point with a wonder strike less than 60 seconds after coming on to the pitch.

The Hatters went into the game unbeaten in five league games and the Blues having won their last four.

And it was Southend who created the first opening, with winger Kevin Betsy charging down the right flank before unleashing a tame effort at goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who was making his league debut.

Forster then denied Jean-Francois Christophe after he was teed up by Betsy, while at the other end striker Anthony Pilkington bent a 25-yard free-kick round the Shrimpers' wall and inches wide of the post.

But Blues took the lead straight from Adam Federici's goal kick. He thumped the ball down the centre, Alex Revell flicked the ball on and Barnard turned Jaroslaw Fojut and then fired past a helpless Forster.

The Hatters had to wait until 33 minutes for their first shot on target, but Tommy Rowe's effort was straight at Federici.

Stephen Gleeson fired wide from distance for County, before Forster did well to turn a curling left-footed shot from Hal Robson-Kanu out for a corner on the stroke of half-time.

Stockport started the second half with some bright football and were nearly rewarded when Jim McNulty's cross from the left was flicked goalwards at the near post by Pilkington, but Federici pushed it out for a corner.

Jim Gannon decided to bring on McSweeney on 63 minutes and less than 60 seconds he levelled after picking up the ball in the Southend half and unleashing a 25-yard right-foot shot into the top right corner of Federici's goal.

The Shrimpers were reduced to ten men on 68 minutes when Dan Harding got a harsh straight red card from referee Trevor Kettle, who else, following a late challenge on McSweeney.

Blues boss Steve Tilson speaking after the game: "We showed a good team spirit and determination which helped the team hold out for a point. It was very difficult when we went behind to 10 men, as you can't go chasing things, but in the end we have earned a good point. I want to see a video of the Harding red card, I was just five yards away and there was no intent; it was not a malicious tackle."

However he conceded it was a point well won: "Stockport are a decent side and played good football, but they weren't creating much in front of goal. I did fear the worst when Harding was sent off, especially by the way they were passing the ball around. It was a tough game and playing with 10 men made life very difficult for us. We have earned a good point in the circumstances."

Coca-Cola League One, Saturday, 11th October 2008 @ 15:00; Roots Hall
Click for Southend United squad list
Barnard 19
McSweeney 64
Click for Stockport County squad list
Starting Line-ups
32Federici 7
23Harding 7
2Francis 5
5Clarke 6
6Barrett 7
20Christophe 6
21Betsy 6
28Sawyer (Sankofa 71)7
17Robson-Kanu 8
9Barnard 7
11Revell (McCormack 73)6
Substitutes
15Sankofa 6
(Sawyer 71)
8McCormack 6 (Revell 73)
7Grant
26Laurent
10Walker
7Goal Attempts11
4On Target5
3Off Target6
0Hit Woodwork0
0Offsides4
4Corners7
13Fouls11
Starting Line-ups
21Forster 6
16Tunnicliffe 6
22Fojut (Mullins 67)6
33Kane (McSweeney 63)6
6McNulty 7
15Raynes 7
18Turnbull 6
8Dicker 6
11Rowe (Baker 46)6
17Gleeson 7
7Pilkington, A 7
Substitutes
23Rigby
3Rose
2Mullins (Fojut 67)6
10Baker (Rowe 46)6
20McSweeney (Kane 63)7
Referee
T Kettle, Rutland 6
Attendance
7125
Southend Utd. Cards
Harding68violent conduct
McCormack90dissent
Stockport Co. Cards
(none)