Just as at Yeovil Town six days earlier, manager Steve Tilson would not have been entirely satisfied with his side’s first half performance, and indeed the visitor’s held a single goal advantage at the break, but the Shrimpers bounced back after the re-start and maybe could have grabbed all three points.
Captain Kevin Maher sat out a one-match suspension following his ridiculous sending-off at Huish Park, with Mark Bentley and Lewis Hunt making up the central midfield partnership whilst Duncan Jupp returned to the starting line-up at right back. Spencer Prior returned from injury to replace Andy Edwards, who picked up a facial injury himself at Yeovil, in central defence whilst 17-year old forward James Lawson earned his maiden first team call-up, named on the bench alongside fellow youth teamer, goalkeeper Nick Morgan.
It was the visitor’s from North Lincolnshire who made the early running, and Bart Griemink made a good stop in just the fourth minute to deny Andy Parkinson after a strong run from Jason Crowe.
Southend’s first opportunity saw Mark Gower fire a 20 yard free kick inches wide of the post before the tricky midfielder, unable to find a route to goal himself, teed up Hunt who dragged an effort wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Grimsby threatened again when Colin Cramb lifted a 25 yard shot over Griemink’s crossbar, before the Mariners’ grabbed the lead on 32 minutes, a rare but costly Barrett mistake gifting the ball to John McDermott who was left with the simple task of slotting the ball past Griemink from 6 yards. (0-1)
Southend soon hit back, a Gower free kick caused chaos in the box, and goalkeeper Anthony Williams could only punch the ball as far as Bentley who stabbed the ball over the top from 8 yards. Barrett then nodded a Gower corner over the bar at the near post but Tilson’s men could not find a leveller before the break.
Half-time: Southend United 0 Grimsby Town 1
The Essex-based Shrimpers began to come into prominence after the break and probably had the better of the second half, although an inspired performance by shot-stopper Griemink helped keep the Mariners at bay.
Barrett’s head sent a Gower free kick zipping wide of the upright before experienced striker Cramb slid a shot just wide of the post after a pacey angled run.
Former Hartlepool United custodian Williams made a brave stop to deflect Bentley’s effort, after a great through-ball from Gower, around the post before Gower’s resulting corner was scrambled clear.
However, the long-awaited equaliser arrived on the hour mark, that man Fredy Eastwood picking up a loose ball before picking out the bottom right hand corner from what seemed an impossible position, some 15 yards from goal. It was Eastwood’s eight Shrimpers goal in just nine outings since signing from Grays Athletic last month. (1-1)
With Southend back on level terms, Griemink did ever so well to hold onto a fierce Dean Gordon drive, before at the other end Williams clung onto an Eastwood effort following a neat low centre from Gower.
After Jupp badly gave away possession to Cramb, Griemink made the save of the match to keep out Parkinson’s strong shot, before United could have stolen the lead when a well-positioned Bentley headed Gower’s cross over the top from 6 yards.
Grimsby scared the Shrimpers with another late flourish, Griemink keeping Parkinson at bay once again, and this point takes Southend above Cheltenham Town, who lost at home to Darlington, and Lincoln City into fifth spot, where they will remain until at least Saturday afternoon.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com