GAVIN Tomlin continued his run of driving League Two defenders crazy, by scoring a last-gasp equaliser to secure Southend United a dramatic 2-2 draw with Bradford City at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Tomlin bagged his ninth goal in nine games with a close-range finish in stoppage time.

And the remarkable scoring ratio has coincided with the 29-year-old striker finally passing his driving test.

“It’s probably a coincidence but ever since I passed my driving test I haven’t stopped scoring,” said Tomlin.

“I had always been too lazy to learn up until just recently and there had always been people nearby who could give me a lift to wherever I had to go.

“But now I’m wishing I’d started lessons sooner!

“I passed on my second attempt and things have been going well ever since.

“I’ve never felt as confident as I do at the moment and it was great to get another goal against Bradford.”

Tomlin’s latest effort clinched what had appeared to be an unlikely point for Blues.

For Paul Sturrock’s side had been 2-0 down with just 10 minutes to go and Tomlin was therefore delighted to see Southend earn a share of the spoils.

“It just shows the lads have a great attitude because we responded really well against a very good team,” said Tomlin.

“You could see Bradford’s confidence after their win against Arsenal, but it was clear we are confident too by the way we responded.

“A draw is probably a fair result and when you’re two goals behind with 10 minutes to go, you’re always happy with a point.”

The point kept Blues sixth in the League Two table.

And Blues boss Paul Sturrock, who was named as the division’s manager of the month in the build up to the game, was also pleased with a point.

“We never gave in and Gav is on fire for us at the moment,” said Sturrock.

“He’s probably in the best form of his whole career right now and it was great to see his latest goal go in.

“We’re getting the rewards for sticking with him when the goals weren’t coming his way earlier on in the season and I’m not sure he’s had that in his career before.

“At other clubs he may have been put out on to the wing, but we told him his place in the side was safe and he’s responded superbly well.

“He took his goal brilliantly and, at the end of the game, it felt more like a win than a draw from our point of view.”