Southend United were gifted a golden opportunity to get off to a flyer at Hartlepool, but struggling forward Martin Carruthers continued his recent poor run of form by fluffing an early penalty.

Left-winger Scott Forbes won the spot-kick after just two minutes when he was scythed down in the box by home defender Gary Strodder as he attempted to capitalise on a right flank centre from midfield team mate Russell Williamson.

However, Carruthers, who had missed one of his previous two penalties this season, stepped up and wasted the chance to end a five-game goal drought when his poorly struck effort was pushed past the right post by Hartlepool goalkeeper Anthony Williams.

Thankful for their escape, Hartlepool broke through at the other end after five minutes, but Blues custodian Darryl Flahavan was alert to the danger and slid in bravely to make a block at the feet of front-runner Craig Midgley.

Three minutes later, striker Kevin Henderson was allowed to run free and face Flahavan one on one, despite looking a good five yards offside. But the keeper again pulled off a superb save, before home defender Ian Clark lashed the rebound past the right post.

Southend marksman Ben Abbey hit back after ten minutes, as he showed great confidence to carry the ball 30 yards and unleash a long range shot, which Williams pushed around his left post two handed.

And three minutes later, the lively forward was at it again as he let loose another 25-yard cracker, which Williams tipped on to the top of his bar.

With 16 minutes gone, Blues were back on the defensive as fullback David McSweeney had to hump a low shot across goal from Henderson away, after Flahavan had been grounded clearing an awkward swerving cross from Tommy Miller.

Carruthers embarked on a mazey run from the half-way line on 25 minutes, before clearing the Hartlepool bar from long range. And two minutes later, former Blues midfielder Mark Tinkler won a controversial spot-kick which would ultimately give the north-east club their first win over Southend for 13 years.

With his head down, Tinkler, who was disappointingly allowed to move to Victoria Park on a free transfer last month, burst into the right-hand side of the Seasiders' box .

But as Phil Whelan moved across to make a tackle, Tinkler threw himself on to the floor before any contact was made, leaving poorly positioned referee Mark Warren to award a highly debatable penalty, which led to the Southend defender grabbing his former team mate around the throat in anger.

Hartlepool made the most of their chance from the spot as midfielder Miller smashed the ball into the middle of the goal after 28 minutes, but sent Flahavan the wrong way.

Southend hit the woodwork for the second time ten minutes later, when right-winger David Lee's wind-assisted cross was pushed on to the bar by Williams. And three minutes later, neat build up play between Whelan and Carruthers allowed Forbes to scamper down the left channel and send over a centre which Abbey headed wide of the goal.

Tinkler, who was at his inspirational best, had the last word of the half. With 42 minutes gone the midfielder showed impeccable control to kill a clearance from Blues with one foot, before hitting a blistering 25-yard drive with the other boot, which Flahavan clawed away from the top right hand corner of his goal one handed.

But that was the last highlight as far as this game went as the second period sank into a dull affair which failed to offer a glimmer of entertainment for both sets of supporters.

Another Tinkler shot was spilled by Flahavan after 52 minutes and desperately cleared by Searle as a group of Hartlepool players moved in to prod the ball over the line.

And with 65 minutes gone, Midgley momentarily lifted the gloom with a dipping 25-yarder, which flew inches over the bar. Carruthers then broke into the box, only to be denied a sight of goal by Tinkler's well-timed sliding challenge.

Blues boss David Webb decided it was time for a change after 68 minutes and threw on David Morley up front in place of the pedestrian Carruthers.

He also handed a rare chance to transfer-listed youngster Garry Cross, who moved on to the right-wing, with William-son making way for Lee to move into the centre of the park.

But Webb's tinkering made little difference, with Flahavan having to race off his line again to deny Henderson a goal with 15 minutes left.

However, Cross wasted a good opening on 77 minutes when Lee spread the ball out wide, but instead of centering the ball to his screaming team mates, the youngster went for glory and dragged a poor effort into the side netting.

Wrong way - (right) Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan is beaten from the penalty spot

Eyes down looking -(left) Leon Johnson and Phil Whelan prepare to make a tackle

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