Tilly: 'Tranmere came here for a point and got a point'
Blues boss Steve Tilson was well aware that the Tranmere game would be a tough test, especially after seeing their 1-0 win at Gillingham last Tuesday.
Tilly spoke to www.southendunited.co.uk: "They get a lot of bodies behind the ball and came here for a point and got a point. I knew it was going to be difficult because of how they set up and that there would not be too much space to get in their and play. I felt comfatable at half time though and we should have gone in 2-0 up with Christophe heading the set piece over at the end."
Once gain Blues were undone due to poor defending at a corner, something that will have to be worked on with three games against promotion candidates to come.
The Southend manager appreciates the problem: 'It was disappointing to concede from a set piece, but we had three or four chances to win. It is about what you do in both boxes and that is the difference. Really and truthfully, we should have won the game. In the second half, I felt we needed more width with Sanchez, but he then gets bought off injured."
Tilly knows that after points lost here the next three fixtures against MK Dons, Norwich and Charlton could see the Shrimpers in a very dangerous position before taking the long trip to Hartlepool and another six-pointer.
He concluded: "It's a tough month for us; there is no doubt about that. It's going to be even harder at MK Dons next Saturday, as they lost 5-0 to Carlisle and will be looking to bounce back. But maybe playing the bigger and better sides will spur us on. There have been some funny results in the division week-in week-out and perhaps the over the next three games, we can surprise a few people. We had enough chances to win Saturday, but it's another point for us towards 50, with another 18 to get now."
Parry: 'It was a penalty'
Rovers boss Les Parry accepted that though his team got more into the game after their equaliser, it would have been an injustice if his side had returned to Birkenhead with all the points.
Parry said after the game: "You have to be pleased with a point when you come in 1-0 down. It was a clear penalty but we lost our shape and the lad was the wrong side of him for the penalty. It was probably the poorest we have played away from home for a while and all in all it was a fair result. It was a good save to deny Ian (Thomas-Moore) and it would have been an injustice if we had won."