SOUTHEND United were held to a 1-1 draw by 10 man Halifax Town at the Shay Stadium this afternoon.

The Shrimpers took the lead at the start of the second half with Wes Fonguck on target for the first time this season.

But Town fought back despite having Luke Summerfield sent off.

And Adam Senior’s equalising effort, 16 minutes from time, meant the game ended all square.

The first half was short of action with Jack Bridge firing an early effort over the crossbar from 20 yards before Gus Scott-Morriss headed a right wing cross from Noor Husin well wide of the left post.

Harry Cardwell then headed over another right wing cross from Husin before Scott-Morriss saw a deflected header from Nathan Ralph’s left wing cross pushed over by Halifax goalkeeper Sam Johnson.

The Shrimpers went closer to breaking the deadlock just before the break when Harry Cardwell battled clear down the right hand side before teeing up Callum Powell whose low shot was gathered by Johnson at the second attempt.

Blues improved after the break and took the lead in the 51st minute when Bridge teed up Fonguck in the left hand side of the penalty area before the midfielder sent an accurate low shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

The Shrimpers soon came close to making it 2-0 when Cardwell just failed to make contact with a left cross from Bridge when a goal seemed certain.

Halifax suffered a further blow just four minutes later when Summerfield was shown a straight red card for a bizarre off the field incident which seemed to include just himself and referee Paul Marsden.

But, with 20 minutes remaining, Blues were forced into their first change of the afternoon as Ralph limped off and was replaced by Jason Demetriou.

The change saw Demetriou line up at right wing-back while Harry Taylor and Scott-Morriss both moved roles at the back and the alterations seemed to unsettle the Shrimpers.

Halifax looked to take advantage with Millenic Alli having a low 20 yard shot pushed wide of the left post by Blues goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi.

And from the resulting corner the hosts drew back level as Jamie Stott latched onto a loose ball in the six yard box before delivering a powerful cross Senior converted at the back post.

But Blues immediately came close to going back in front with Powell firing Cardwell’s right wing cross over the crossbar from 12 yards.

In a further bid to go back in front, Blues boss Kevin Maher brought on both Dan Mooney and Jack Wood in attacking areas but the visitors were unable to secure a late winner despite a sustained spell of pressure.