Steve Tilson was full of praise for the Shrimpers reserves after they drew with Queens Park Rangers last night.

Midfielder Stuart Thurgood put Blues ahead midway through the second half with a great 20-yard half volley.

Rangers responded with a 20-minute spell of sustained pressure before they equalised late on through David Booles.

"The lads that played gave a great account of themselves throughout the 90 minutes and we could have won when Mark Salter's left-foot shot went just wide at the end," said Tilson.

"Danny (Gay) admitted he was at fault for their equaliser when he should have punched the ball clear. But he dropped it and they put the ball in the net."

The match was played at Ryman One North side Northwood FC's Chestnut Avenue home and Tilson admitted the rock hard pitch made it difficult for Southend's three trialists to show their skills.

One of them is Australian forward Eameus Dimitrius who has been recommended to Shrimpers manager Rob Newman by an agent.

Dimitrius came on for the second half. The other two are Peterborough scholars, central midfielder Guy Last and striker Michael Frew.

Published Wednesday, February 5, 2003

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