AN overriding feeling of frustration greeted the final whistle on Saturday after Southend United were held to a 2-2 draw by Northampton Town.

The share of the spoils moved Blues back into the play-off positions.

But, having twice taken the lead against the Cobblers, it definitely felt like two points dropped rather than one being gained for the Shrimpers in their pursuit of a top six finish.

All four of the game’s goals came in a frantic first half during which Southend threatened going forward but seemed to lack their usual solidarity which enabled an improving Northampton to become just the second visiting side since August to score twice at Roots Hall.

Their second equaliser came from a free-kick which puzzled most of a large crowd of more than 8,400 and certainly aggravated Blues boss Phil Brown.

But the unusual defensive lapses and the inability to convert a couple of late opportunities were ultimately to blame for the Shrimpers failing to secure back to back victories.

A lop-sided midfield with the left-footed Michael Timlin featuring on the right hand side may also not have helped, despite his impressive energy levels.

Yet the disappointment at the draw shows just how far Blues have come in the last few months.

Back in September, the Shrimpers were trounced 4-0 by Northampton and seemed destined for a season of struggle where anything other than relegation would have been seen as success.

But, since then, Southend have become a far stronger side with a settled shape and line-up and are now right in the race for the play-offs.

Plenty of twists and turns still lay in store but, on average in the past 10 seasons, it has taken 72 points to guarantee a top six finish in League One.

If that trend is to be continued then Blues will need pick up a further 22 points in their remaining 14 matches and that is certainly well within the realms of possibility given their recent form.

The Shrimpers have now been beaten just twice in their last 20 league games which have also seen them pick up 38 points.

For that ratio to be maintained, along with the promotion push, Blues will need a striker in form and in Simon Cox that is exactly what they have right now.

Cox’s goal at the weekend made him just the second Southend player in 57 years to score in six successive home games and, if he can also find his scoring boots on the road, then the Shrimpers will be in with a real chance of success this term.

Cox was joined on the score-sheet by Jermaine McGlashan on Saturday and the winger would have been delighted to find the back of the net as he strives to establish himself as a regular in the starting line-up.

McGlashan’s goal came against a Northampton side managed by former Blues left-back Justin Edinburgh, who released him from Gillingham at the end of last season.

But the Shrimpers will certainly be pleased not to take on Edinburgh again this season as he started the current campaign with two 3-1 victories at Roots Hall when in charge of the Gills and has not been beaten in any of his six meetings as a manager against Blues who will now be bidding to bounce back at Peterborough United tomorrow night.

Boss Phil Brown will be looking to come up with a winning formula and striking duo Theo Robinson and Nile Ranger are likely to come into consideration after both making impacts as substitutes on Saturday.

However, at the other end of the field, the Shrimpers will be sweating on the fitness of the influential Anton Ferdinand who limped off with a calf problem at the weekend.

A serious setback for the defender could prove problematic for Blues but it is all still play for - despite Saturday’s shortcomings and frustrations.