Veteran keeper Mark Prudhoe spared Blues' blushes last night as his penalty shoot-out heroics kept Southend United in the Essex Senior Cup.

The Division Two side went through at the expense of non-League minnows Barking.

The Seasiders' second-string, which included ten players with first-team experience, struggled against their Ryman Division Two opponents for long spells in this Roots Hall quarter-final.

In fact, Southend looked to be on their way out of the competition when visiting hitman Nathan Thomas fired Barking into a shock lead with a cracking drive 12 minutes from the end of extra-time.

But Blues forward Trevor Fitzpatrick ensured penalties with a header two minutes into injury-time, leaving Prudhoe to push away two Barking spot-kicks and set up a semi-final clash at Ryman Premier Division promotion-chasers Canvey Island.

After the game, Southend's reserve team player-coach Mick Gooding, who, despite being 40 years old, was probably the Shrimpers' most impressive performer, admitted the Seasiders' display had been disappointing.

"We enjoyed a lot of the possession, but never made the most of it and in all honesty Barking created the better chances on the night," said Gooding.

"When they scored we looked set for an embarrassing defeat, but you've got to give our lads credit for sticking at their task and coming back with that last-gasp goal."

Barking kicked-off in determined style with Prudhoe making a two-handed save from Thomas and watching a vicious drive from visiting midfielder Lydon Lennon hit his crossbar.

Blues' best chance of the half was a close-range drive from defender Chris Perkins, which was deflected over the bar.

Barking continued to impress after the break , but Southend should have taken the lead on 68 minutes when Gordon Connelly slotted Neville Roach through on goal, but the striker blazed wildly off target.

Barking got their noses in front in the second-period of extra time before Blues hit back in the 120th minute when Fitzpatrick met Leo Roget's header across goal to net from six yards.

In the penalty lottery, Prudhoe blocked two of the five Barking spot-kicks to his left, with Roget the only Southend player to draw a blank as Connelly, Fitzpatrick, Gooding and Perkins all found the target.

Southend: Prudhoe, Cross, Johnson, Roget, Perkins, McDonald, Connelly, Kerrigan, Gooding, Roach (Campbell), Fitzpatrick.

Close competition - Southend and Barking players battle for the ball in last night's close Essex Senior Cup tie, which Blues went on to win 4-3 on penalties

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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