Southend United and Scarborough will both be in the hat for today's FA Cup fourth round draw following a hard-fought 1-1 stalemate at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Making a break - Jay Smith surges forward, watched by Mark Gower and Duncan Jupp Picture: ROB BROWNE

A 74th-minute strike from Seadogs midfielder Brian Kerr cancelled out a fine early volley from Jay Smith - meaning the two sides will do battle once again at the McCain Stadium next Wednesday.

"It was disappointing from our point of view," said Smith. "We could have played a lot better and I think we let ourselves down.

"We started off well and appeared to be in control, but Scarborough came back into it during the second half, and although we could have won, a draw was probably a fair result."

Smith, who netted twice during the opening round derby victory over Canvey Island, admitted he was delighted to work his way onto the scoresheet once again.

"It was good for me to get another goal because I hadn't got one for a while, and I was happy with that finish," he said.

"We should have gone on from there though and converted more of our chances to tie the game up."

Published Monday January 5, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo