Referee Evans started the second half by handing out his first booking, cautioning Bramble for a sweeping challenge from behind on Flynn near the touchline.

Southend threatened from several crosses into the box with firstly Foley heading over on 50 minutes and Kelly nodding straight at Digby soon after.

The two sides traded long-range shots with Bramble driving wide from 25 yards for the visitors, and the home side's Flynn rifling just past Flahavan's right-hand post from 30 yards on 54 minutes.

Flahavan was forced into some rare action on 63 minutes when he had to claw away a dangerous swinging cross from Smith.

From the resulting corner Southend cleared for another flag-kick which Melligan whipped in for Flynn to meet with a crisp header but straight at Flahavan.

Then Melligan broke well in the box and flipped over a cross for Henriksen who, with his back to goal, tried to flick the ball goalwards but it dropped harmlessly wide of the post from close range.

Henriksen picked up his eighth booking of the season on 66 minutes for a trip on Searle.