Southend United 2 Bristol Rovers 2

Barrington Belgrave slotted home the first

Shrimpers boss Rob Newman made just one enforced change from the side that demolished Hull City seven days previously, Barrington Belgrave being called in to replace contact lens victim Tesfaye Bramble alongside Mark Rawle up front. Bramble will be out for three weeks after suffering an eye infection, although fortunately he will be sitting out the next three fixtures anyway through suspension. Right-back Mark Beard took Belgrave's place on the bench having sat out the Hull victory.

Five minutes later, Southend's dominance was finally rewarded. Maher flicked the ball over Rob Quinn's head and then placed the ball into the run of Belgrave. The out-of-favour forward controlled the ball well, and slid it underneath Howie's body to open the scoring. It was little more than the hosts deserved. From the restart, Wayne Carlisle attempted a raking cross-field pass, but Darryl Flahavan was stung into action as it dipped under his crossbar.

The Shrimpers still created chances to double their lead, Rawle's dangerous cross along the six-yard box almost picking out Belgrave again, but the ex-Yeovil man was unable to connect with the ball. The half ended with Rovers' captain Barrett rising highest at the back post to head Guiliano Grazioli's flick into the grateful hands of Flahavan.

From the beginning of the second period, it seemed that Bristol Rovers manager Ray Graydon had inspired his troops. By contrast, Blues were sloppy and allowed the visiting tem back into the match. With 47 minutes on the clock Kevin Street cut inside from his normal left-wing position, the former Crewe Alexandra striker hitting a strong effort into Flahavan's hands. Four minutes later, the Pirates had their equaliser. Wayne Carlisle took a left flank corner, and Flahavan was unable to claim. Barrett headed powerfully across the face of goal, and Marney could not clear on the post.

Rovers were galvanised. Unable to get a hold on the ball, Southend began to chase the play, and Ijah Anderson drove a right-footed shot two feet wide of the left upright from twenty yards. Then, in the 57th minute, the relegation-threatened side took the lead. Carlisle's long ball was flicked on by tall forward Paul Tait, and with Stephen Kelly just staring, nippy Street latched onto the through ball and fired under Flahavan's left hand.

Kevin Maher grabbed the equaliser.

The final quarter-of-an-hour saw Southend return to the dominance that they had experienced for the opening 45 minutes. One Maher corner was headed tamely across goal by Leon Cort, and that was followed up by Salter throwing himself at a right-wing flag-kick, although the ex-Frome Town man couldn't get a touch. In the final action of the match, Salter dived in front of Rose, but his header fell easily into the hands of Howie. However, the 2-2 result was not a total disaster, after other sides in the Division failed to take advantage, and Blues find themselves in 13th position, still just five points from 4th place.

Line-ups and Player Ratings by Mark Wallis

Southend United (4-4-2; with ratings out of ten):- Darryl Flahavan 6; Daryl Sutch 7, Stephen Kelly 6, Leon Cort 7, Damon Searle 7; Daniel Marney 6 (Mark Salter 57, 6), Kevin Maher 5, Jay Smith 6, Steven Clark 8; Barrington Belgrave 7, Mark Rawle 7. Subs not used - Daniel Gay, Stuart Thurgood, Mark Beard, Tom Jordan.

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2)-: Scott Howie; Ijah Anderson, Richard Rose, Adam Barrett, Kevin Austin (Sonny Parker 31); Wayne Carlisle (Mark McKeever 90), Rob Quinn, Graham Hyde, Kevin Street; Paul Tait, Guiliano Grazioli. Subs not used - Ryan Clarke, Lewis Hogg, David Gilroy.

TLG Man-of-the-Match: Steven Clark
Without doubt the only candidate.  Clark's first half performance in particular was first class - racing down his wing at every opportunity, and more than npt beating his man.  At times his final ball may not have been the best but he was always there causing the opponents huge trouble.  Faded out in the second half as did the whole team, but he often had to drift inside the cover for the struggling Smith and the totally inept Maher.  The Steven Clark we are seeing at the moment is one of the most exciting players in this Division, all I can say it long may it continue!