SOUTHEND United made mathematically sure of their place in the end of season play-offs with a 1-1 draw at Fleetwood Town.

Barry Corr’s fourth goal in five games cancelled out Steven Schumacher’s opener for the home-side.

And the striker’s close range header secured the Shrimpers a top seven finish.

After a quiet start to the game, Blues almost opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Corr’s header from Ryan Leonard’s long throw was tipped to safety low down to his left hand side by goalkeeper Chris Maxwell.

But, having survived the scare, Fleetwood hit back to open the scoring against the run of play in the 37th minute with Steven Schumacher on target.

The midfielder’s free-kick from the left flank evaded a whole host of bodies inside the penalty area before curling in to the right hand side of the net.

However, Fleetwood were in front for just three minutes as the in-form Corr again worked his way on the score-sheet as he headed home a right wing corner from Ben Coker.

At the start of the second half, Fleetwood’s Antoni Sarcevic saw a curling 20 yard shot palmed to safety by Daniel Bentley.

The Blues shot-stopper then also did well to keep out a well struck shot from David Ball and, in the 52nd minute, he tipped a powerful effort from Matty Blair around the right post.

In a bid to get back of top, Shrimpers boss Phil Brown made his first substitution of the game in the 63rd minute with Anthony Straker replacing Jacob Murphy.

And Straker made an immediate impact teeing up Corr whose low, eight yard shot was smothered by Maxwell.

Moments later, came a moment of controversy when Coker went to ground inside the area after appearing to have been brought down by Liam Hogan but referee Chris Sarginson opted to wave play on.

That ensured the game ended all square and ensured Southend’s place in the play-offs.