Southend United's reserves allowed Bristol City to escape with a point from yesterday's 1-1 Avon Insurance Combination League draw at Roots Hall.

Blues enjoyed the greater territorial advantage against the Robins, but failed to turn possession into the goals they deserved for their labours.

Shrimpers boss Rob Newman, who enjoyed an impressive 90 minutes in central defence, was pleased with his side's display.

"What pleased me most was the positive response from two or three players who should be knocking on the first team door," said Newman, 37.

"Daniel Webb had a good game up front and Danny Kerrigan was very industrious at left-back. I was also pleased with Leon Johnson, who has been filling in for us on the left-wing in the senior side, but put in a solid performance at centre-back."

Injury plagued left-winger Scott Forbes came through 90 minutes unscathed and, although looking rusty, should be in contention for a first team recall. However, Stoke City trialist, right sided midfielder Matthew Bullock, failed to shine and will not be invited back to Southend.

After seven minutes, Webb controlled Kerrigan's left-wing cross and forced City goalkeeper Jamie Attwell to parry the ball, but Robins defender Tom Jordan cleared the danger before Barrington Belgrave could capitalise.

Webb then fired over from a tight angle, before Attwell's howler gifted Belgrave the opening goal on 27 minutes.

Belgrave unleashed a 20-yard shot which was fumbled over the goal-line by the City custodian after taking a slight deflection off visiting defender Joe Burnell. Southend keeper Daniel Gay pulled off an excellent save on the stroke of half-time when he palmed Robins midfielder Ben Cleverley's 25-yard drive past the right post.

After the break, Forbes shot wide from 25 yards, before Webb got on the end of the winger's cross, but his effort was deflected past the left post.

Full-back David McSweeney also flashed a volley across the face of the City goal. But the Robins equalised on 59 minutes when frontman Albano Correia nutmegged Newman and beat the unlucky Gay from 15 yards, who managed to get a hand to the effort.

Newman nearly had the last word against his old club, converting tidy Blues midfielder Marek Szmid's centre with a looping header five minutes from time, but the goal was disallowed for a push in the box.

Southend: Gay, McSweeney, Kerrigan, Newman, Risbridger, Szmid, Johnson, Bullock (Chibogu), Forbes, Webb, Belgrave.

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Published Thursday November 29, 2001