SOUTHEND United skipper John White had a double reason to be relieved following the Shrimpers’ 0-0 draw with Newport County on Friday night.

The fit-again right-back was thrilled to see Robbie Willmott fail to convert a second half spot-kick for the visitors.

And he was also thrilled that his injured shoulder survived a heavy fall just before the break.

“I landed on my shoulder and it hurt but thankfully it didn’t pop out and I was able to continue,” said White, who had missed Blues’ last four games with a dislocated shoulder.

“I just needed a few minutes just to keep it relaxed and in a way it’s a relief to have got a fall like that out of the way.

“The shoulder is obviously stronger than I thought which is testament to the work the physio has done on it and it’s also good for my confidence as well.

“It stood up well to the challenge so I’m pleased but I’m sure it would be feeling even better if we had got the win. “But, with them missing a penalty, maybe a point isn’t that bad because it could have been a lot worse.”

The game could also have been far more disappointing for White as another setback on his shoulder could require surgery which would rule him out for the rest of the season.

However, the draw he helped secure at Roots Hall pushed the Shrimpers up to fifth in the League Two table.

The home-side were unable to find a way past a well organised Newport side who clearly tried to frustrate their hosts with some time wasting tactics.

But White feels that is something Southend will now have to get used to as they continue their charge for promotion.

“We’re going to have to accept that teams will do that between now and the end of the season,” said White, 27.

“We’ve got to try to find different ways to break teams down and we did create quite a few chances here in the first half.

“More goals is something we definitely need to add, all round the team, but we just need to show a bit of composure.

“However, we’ve kept our unbeaten league start to 2014 going and now, after a couple of draws, we need to get the win at Mansfield in our next game to get ourselves going again."