Shrewsbury Town 1 Southend United 1

Last updated : 24 October 2004 By Mark Wallis

Southend clear their lines during a torrid first half
Shrewsbury, who saw manager Jimmy Quinn resign the previous day having steered the Shropshire side back into the Football League at the first attempt last season following their 2003 relegation, were desperate to chalk up three points to lift themselves off the bottom and a slippery Gay Meadow surface, made life more than tricky for United.

Lengthy spells of rain had seen the banks of the River Severn, adjacent to Gay Meadow, rise the the pitch become sodden and as Southend struggled in the first half it was clearly the home side who adapted quicker to the difficult conditions.

Following on from Tuesday evening’s 3-2 defeat at Scunthorpe United, Mark Bentley was available again following his three-match ban, but Lewis Hunt was preferred in midfield whilst goalscorer Jimmy Corbett made way for the fit-again Mark Gower.

It was in fact the visitor’s from Essex who grabbed the first opportunity with ten minutes on the clock when Wayne Gray dragged a low Fredy Eastwood cross wide of the post.

However, on 15 minutes the home side stole the lead. Luke Rodgers, a continuous thorn in United’s side, particularly with his ‘sporting’ tactics, laid a ball off to Kevin Street who found space to fire an unstoppable 25 yard shot into the top left hand corner giving Darryl Flahavan no chance. (1-0)

After the goal, a less than entertaining opening period saw further opportunities only arrive through Town’s Jake Sedgemore, skidding a shot wide of the upright, and Shrimpers playmaker Hunt, who stabbed a Carl Pettefer centre just off target.

Half-time: Shrewsbury Town 1 Southend United 0

Following the interval, and attacking their own supporters at the Station End, Southend came more into the match and after Sedgemore had curled a free kick just off target two minutes after the re-start, it was Tilson’s men who made the majority of the running.

A long, determined run from Gower saw a resultant shot well held by shot-stopper Scott Howie before Hunt nodded a Kevin Maher free kick over the top.

The equaliser arrived with 59 minutes on the clock, Pettefer sending in an inch perfect cross from the right flank for Gray to nod past Howie from six yards. (1-1)

Moments later, with Southend in the descendancy for the first time, Eastwood’s centre saw Hunt’s effort drop just wide.

However, with Blues finishing the game trying to cling onto to a point, Flahavan did well to hold onto Duane Darby’s fierce drive.

Full-time: Shrewsbury Town 1 Southend United 1

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Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com