SOUTHEND United slipped down to sixth in the League Two standings after being held to an uneventful 0-0 draw at AFC Wimbledon last night.

Both sides struggled to create goalscoring opportunity in a low quality clash at Kingsmeadow.

But the Shrimpers almost stole all three points 12 minutes from time when Barry Corr slammed a 20 yard against the underside of the crossbar.

Corr, who came in to the game with three goals in his last three outings, also went to close to scoring after just 12 minutes when the ball fell in to the striker’s path inside the penalty area.

However, the Irishman’s low 10 yard shot was blocked by the legs of Dons’ goalkeeper Joe McDonnell who was making his first league start.

Moments later, the home-side replied with midfielder Jake Reeves sending a well struck 25 yard shot fizzing over the crossbar.

But Dons then went even closer to taking the lead on the half hour mark when Shrimpers goalkeeper Ted Smith parried a fine left wing cross from Callum Kennedy in to the path of Tom Beere who slammed a powerful 20 yard shot against the crossbar.

With the hosts continue to threaten, Smith had to be alert to keep out Adedeji Oshilaja with a smart save low down to his left hand side before he also recovered well to gather the rebound on the stroke of half-time.

After the break, Blues hit back with Ryan Leonard shooting wide of the left post from 20 yards before David Worrall got up well to head Corr’s left wing cross straight at McDonnell.

However, the Shrimpers struggled to carve open clear cut chances and that forced Phil Brown in to making his first change of the evening in the 65th minute with Jack Payne replacing Will Atkinson in midfield.

But it was AFC Wimbledon who registered the game’s next shot on target with their substitute, Sean Rigg, having a low shot smothered by Smith.

After surviving the scare, Southend soon replied and felt they had opened the scoring in the 78th minute when Corr fired a curling, left footed shot from 20 yards against the underside of the crossbar before, in his view, bouncing over the line.

However, referee Graham Scott opted to wave play on and Corr immediately made way for Jake Cassidy in attack.

But Southend were unable to make a late breakthrough and, with Bury beating Luton Town, Blues slipped down to sixth, five points below the automatic promotion places.