Southend supporters however can once again take heart from this match where despite a somewhat poor first half Steve Tilson's side dominated the second period and Mark Gower's equaliser nine minutes from time was more than the visitors deserved. Indeed United even had chances to win the match in the closing stages.

Southend remained unchanged from the side which started in the comfortable 2-0 victory at Boston United the previous Wednesday with Drewe Broughton, back from a three match suspension, only finding a place amongst the substitutes. Lawrie Dudfield played what is the last of his initial one month's loan spell from Northampton Town, but the impressive frontman revealed to us before the match that he hopes to make the switch a permanent one this week.

Southend found the opening stages quite tough going, and for whatever reason the Shrimpers couldn't get their passing game going and were reduced to pumping long balls forward and getting sucked into the same style of play adpoted by Rovers.

Indeed it was the home side who created the early openings and two corners from Simon Bryant saw Lee Matthews stab a shot over the crossbar and then Paul Tait head just off target.

Then, with just fifteen minutes on the clock Rovers took the lead. Somehow lanky striker Tait was allowed to weave his way through the Southend defence on the edge of the penalty area before sending a delicate chip over the head of Darryl Flahavan who had advanced off his goalline.

Only seconds after the goal Flahavan then had to be at his very best to keep hold of a Graham Hyde angled shot at the second attempt before the Blues custodian was rounded by Tait who's dangerous ball across the face of goal wasn't met by the boot of a Rovers player.

Southend though finally started to work their way into the encounter and a break forward from Dudfield brought a shot which was blocked for a corner by Southend-born defender Adam Barrett before Gower curled a free kick over the top of Kevin Miller's crossbar.

United had a penalty appeal turned down when Dudfield's shot was handled bby Robert Quinn before the tricky Blues midfielder brilliantly shrugged off the attentions of Danny Boxall before a low cross was put inches wide of his own post by Quinn. The last action of the first half then saw Kevin Maher zip a low shot inches wide of Miller's right hand post.

A Gower corner was nodded just over the top by Leon Cort seven minutes into the second period before, literally seconds later a Gower run and cross resulted in Leon Constantine smashing a right footed volley off target.

Flahavan did well to push a Matthews free kick around the post, but that was about all Rovers had to offer after the break, and inspired by that free kick, Maher also tested Miller with a long range set piece.

The equaliser finally arrived with 81 minutes on the clock. Gower picking the ball up on the edge of the penalty area before twisting and turning his way past his marker and smashing a low shot past Miller and into the botom right hand corner.

After the goal Southend were not willing to settle for just a point and eagerly went in search of a winner. Substitute Broughton drove a low effort wide following a neat run and centre from Constantine and Miller pushed out a Dudfield shot before, in the very last minute, Miller made a fantastic save to push Brouhton's low effort around the post just as the ball looked set to nestle in the bottom corner.

Another impressive performance from Southend, who are one of Division Three's in form sides at the moment, and playing this way there is little doubt that United will remain in the Football League next season, let's just hope the good run continues!

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com