Cheltenham Town's first clean sheet since the second game of the season ended their run of six consecutive Coca-Cola League One defeats tonight.
Both sides had chances to win the game, the woodwork coming to the rescue at both ends with ten minutes remaining, but this contest will not live long in the memory and was witnessed by the lowest league gate of the season.
However, a point apiece was a fair reflection of this one.
TEAM NEWS: Allen makes a quartet of changes to the side which made the long trip home from Carlisle United empty-handed on Saturday night. Elvis Hammond makes his home debut alongside Lloyd Owusu, restored to the side after missing the game at Brunton Park to be present at the birth of his daughter. Jonathon Hayes comes in on the left, with Ashley Vincent playing on the opposite flank. David Bird is pushed into a central midfield role, with Andy Gallinagh filling the right back role while Darren Kenton joined Drissa Diallo in central defence.
Damian Spencer, Lee Ridley and Scott Murray drop to the bench, joining birthday boy Josh Payne, who celebrates his 18th birthday today. Lewis Montrose misses out.
21st minute: Chances are at a premium in the opening exchanges, but a lively and evenly-contested game is almost brought to life by the pace of Hayes, forcing centre half Peter Clarke into a hurried clearance from which Hammond almost benefited although goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall was alert to clear under pressure from the striker.
23: Captain Adam Barrett meets Robert Milsom's corner with a downward header, but it's well wide.
26: Bird's long ranger shaves the top left angle of Mildenhall's goal.
27: Clarke races onto a Kevin Betsy corner but plants a header a couple of feet wide of the left upright.
32: Brown spills Barrett's header after Milsom delivers a free-kick into the area, but Gallinagh reacts quickest to clear the danger.
33: Cheltenham are rescued by the offside flag after Southend turn defence into attack, Betsy striking a post with a header after a fluid down the left.
45: The home side create a chance of note after a good build-up down the left. Alan Wright eventually lifts a ball into the area, and Owusu takes advantage of a poor clearance to shoot on goal, although Mildenhall takes it.
HALF TIME: Cheltenham Town 0, Southend United 0
46: Bird takes a free-kick from the left of the penalty area, which he sends in with menace but no-one is on hand to apply a final touch, and Mildenhall gathers.
50: Hammond has a dig from the left but it flies the wrong side of the right post.
53: Alan McCormack releases a low drive from all of 30 yards, but skids wide of thr right post.
56: Cheltenham get the ball in the back of the net, but for the second time in the game, the assistant referee chalks it off for offside. Hammond does well down the left, bursting into the box before going down under a tackle by his marker. The striker however shows great strength to lift it to the far post where Vincent acrobatically finishes before spotting the flag.
60 SUBSTITUTION: Hammond leaves the field injured and is replaced by Scott Murray on the hour mark. Vincent steps up into attack while Murray goes to right midfield.
61: Vincent warms Mildenhall's palms with a stinging shot from 25 yards. The corner comes in from the left-hand side, but Southend deal with it as the home side enjoy a good passage of play, putting the Shrimpers on the back foot.
67: Francis creates space to swing a perfect ball in from the right touchline which Betsy meets with a firm header but it's straight at Brown, who holds.
72 SUBSTITUTION: Josh Payne replaces Kenton and takes up a role in central midfield. Bird slots back to right back with Gallinagh moving inside to partner Diallo.
79 BOOKING: Vincent surges down the middle and is clattered by Dan Harding 20 yards from goal, who earns the first yellow card of the night. Hayes blasts the subsequent free-kick into the defensive wall.
80: Cheltenham Town have a lucky escape when Milsom vollies against Brown's crossbar from a tight angle on the left.
81: At the other end, Owusu guides Bird's cross from the right onto the top of the crossbar.
82 SUBSTITUTION: Damian Spencer replaces Hayes, and joins Owusu up front for the final eight minutes. Vincent drops back to the left midfield role vacated by Hayes.
86: James Walker, who s also celebrating birthday, smacks one wide from distance.
89: Osei Sankofa lashes another shot wide, while Bird makes a vital, last-ditch tackle a moment later to deny Betsy a shooting chance inside the box.
FULL TIME: Cheltenham Town 0, Southend United 0
CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-4-2): Brown; Gallinagh, Diallo, Kenton (Payne 72), Wright (c); Vincent, Bird, Westlake, Hayes (Spencer 82); Owusu, Hammond (Murray 60). Subs not used: Higgs (Gk), Ridley.
SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2): Mildenhall; Sankofa, Clarke, Barrett (c), Harding; Francis, McCormack, Christophe, Milsom; Betsy, Walker. Subs not used: Grant, Herd, Ademano, Joyce (Gk), O'Keefe.
REFEREE: SW Mathieson (Cheshire)
ATTENDANCE: 2,908 ( 225 from Southend)
