Donohue's Marks Out Of Ten

GK Darryl Flahavan | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 0 | Rating: 8

Flahavan’s technical ability was also fantastic as he managed to kick the ball effectively whilst he made the simple saves that he had to in gaining his fourth clean sheet on the bounce. Darryl will be looking forward to the trip to Cardiff next week, hopefully with another clean sheet in mind.

RB Duncan Jupp | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Unfortantly for Jupp, it was not one of his best games although in a classy team performance he was not shown up. Jupp gave the ball away on far too many occasions, often when he was searching down the line for Pettefer. The former Wimbledon man’s overall play was not as good as he could have been although he did put a number of good searching crosses into the penalty area.

CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8

Another quality performance from the man who has been all the way to the top and shows his attributes every week. Prior has to be one of the best defenders in the division, along with Barrett, and a with a combination of good tackling and high quality ball distribution Prior catches the eye every week.

CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8

Another game and another clean sheet as Adam Barrett takes a lot of the credit for this with a commanding defensive performance. The solid Barrett made not one mistake whilst defending and he also offered great skill with the ball at his feet when he was going forward. One slight negative to Barrett’s play was his inability to combat the Gas’ excellent defending of all set plays.

LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8

Wilson continues his improvement with another fantastic ‘up and down’ performance. Wilson found himself helping the attack at one point whilst the next he was back in defence putting crunching tackles in. There was one point late into the second half when Wilson slid in on the goal bound Jamie Forrester and denied him a opportunity to shoot at the target.

RM/LM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Pettefer, who has of course played every game this season for Southend, continued his consistent performances. Pettefer, in this game, like many others was faultless defensively, covering for any attacking thinking players such as Duncan Jupp. Pettefer was again a little more direct and this has aided his play as he has improved throughout the season.

CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 8

A brilliant performance from Beno who managed to get his name on the scoresheet for the sixth time this season. Bentley was first to react from a bobbling ball in the six yard area after a Wayne Gray shot. Bentley then continued his performance by hitting a freekick hard into the direction of the goal. It was a well saved effort former Blues keeper Ryan Clarke. Bentley then turned provider as he crossed the ball into Wayne Gray who was clearly shoved by Craig Hinton. Bentley’s overall play was brilliant however he was hampered by some needlessly over-enthusiastic tackling. The first challenge on John Anderson should have signalled as a warning; Bentley was injured in the tackle. However the late foul on Dave Savage earnt Bentley a yellow card he could do without despite any ‘amnesties’ that are introduced.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 |Goals: 0 |Assists: 0 |Rating: 8.5

Maher showed again, why he is such a vital clog in the Southend United match-winning machine with is superb array of passing, tackling and overall competitiveness. Maher leads the team both with his play and in tactical breaks in the game. The captain of the side orchestrated the move that from a freekick that involved the ball being chipped over the wall into the path of Eastwood. Unfortunately picky referee Ian Williamson brought play back for an moving football. Maher has shown in the last two games why he deserves a place in the first team and a place as captain. He will be looking forward to lead the team out at the Millennium Stadium in nine days time.

LM/RM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 84 | Gls: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Gower’s performance was improved although still not as good as we know it can be. Gower, who has a great record of goalscoring against Bristol Rovers’ failed to bring his creative influence to the game as he lacked his cut ins, dribbling ability and hard shots.

CF Freddy Eastwood |Minutes on pitch: 80 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Freddy Eastwood now goes two games without a goal although this does not tell the story as he turned in a good team performance. Whilst Eastwood was skilful he did not add his usual influence on the game. Despite this his ability to hold the ball up effectively and then move the football to a forward running player was very good.

CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 9

CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 10 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Dudfield tried with all of his heart to make a claim in a game that had fizzled out into a non-event by the time he was on the pitch. However Lawrie is set to face LDV Final heartbreak and will probably start on the bench despite scoring three goals in the competition. Unfortunately that is the harsh reality of football.

CM Alan McCormack | Minutes on pitch: 6 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

With only six minutes on the pitch it was difficult for McCormack to make an impression on the game. McCormack will now travel with the squad to Cardiff and may make an appearance in the final from the substitutes bench.