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Carlisle United 0 Southend United 0

Last updated : 06 March 2002 By Mark Wallis

Phil Whelan had the best of Southend's chances.
Kevin Maher returned to the starting line-up following a toe injury in place of latest injury victim Mark Rawle, but that was the only change from the side that was so unlucky not to have beaten Oxford United at Roots Hall three days previously.

A rather dull affair, played on a horrendously bobbly pitch which was not assisted by persistant rain and a swirling gust, was inevitably slow to come to life.

Stephen Broad did well to block an Ian Stevens header after twelve minutes following a Stuart Green cross before Ian Selley's free kick was headed wide by Phil Whelan a minute later.

Whelan had another opportunity just two minutes, this time heading another Selley free kick straight at Carlisle goalkeeper Peter Keen.

Brenden McGill's fine run was halted when Damon Searle blocked his long range shot before good work by Barrington Belgrave and Tesfaye Bramble saw the latter send a deflected shot wide of the post from 15 yards. The resulting Brian Barry-Murphy corner wasn't properly cleared by the home rearguard ans Stuart Thurgood picked out Whelan who once again came close with a header, this time the ball dropped just wide of the post.

Ian Selley had possibly his best game for the Shrimpers.

The first half ended with Bramble flicking a Barry-Murphy corner into the path of Belgrave but the ball was scrambled away from the stocky striker with the goal gaping.

If the 48 Southend supporters present at Brunton Park thought the first half was poor they couldn't have possibly prepared themselves for one of the dullest second halves they're ever likely to see. After just four minutes however Shrimpers dangerman, Tes Bramble was replaced by Mark Beard having picked-up a knock earlier in the evening.

It was in the 51st minute that the visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock, Whelan's fierce shot bouncing down off the underside of the crossbar before Keen made a fine save from Thurgood's 15 yard effort.

Selley shot poorly over following fine work by Thurgood and Barry-Murphy on the left after 79 minutes before the home side nearly stole the points three minutes from time when Michael Jack's cross from a most acute angle caught the wind before crashing against Darryl Flahavan's crossbar.

As the three minutes of injury quicked ticked by Whelan once again headed a Selley free kick straight at Keen as a poor match came to a climax. However on a ground where Southend have a reputation for bad results, supporters from Essex will be quite happy at the goalless outcome.

Mark Wallis

www.thelittlegazette.com