PHIL Brown's spell in charge of Southend United started in an exciting and entertaining yet ultimately frustrating fashion at Bradford City on Friday.

The former Hull City boss saw his new side race in to a two goal lead at Valley Parade, with both Gavin Tomlin and Britt Assombalonga working their way back on the score-sheet in quick succession.

But during a rip, roaring second half the Bantams battled back to secure a 2-2 draw and further dent Blues' slight hopes of reaching the end of season play-offs.

The ninth placed Shrimpers are now seven points behind seventh placed Exeter City with just six games to go.

However, while it will take an unbelievable and unlikely run of results to close that gap, all of Blues' remaining matches are very much winnable.

On top of that, there were also several positives to come out of the draw with Bradford, most noticeably the return of Gavin Tomlin to the starting line-up.

The striker scored one and helped to make another during another eye catching performance which once again underlined just how much he was missed during his long injury lay off.

For Southend triumphed just three times in 11 league games while Tomlin was out with a thigh problem and collected just 12 points from a possible 33 during that period.

But, with him back in attack, Blues look far more of a threat, especially as his inclusion also seems to bring the best out of Assombalonga.

The on loan Watford youngster had not been at his best in the past few weeks but, next to Tomlin, he caused Bradford all kinds of problems and the duo have now netted 26 goals in the 25 games they have started together this season.

Had they been available more often and avoided injury then Southend would surely be higher up the League Two standings and Paul Sturrock could still be in charge of the side.

However, it is now Brown bossing the Blues and, whatever the rights and wrongs of the decision and how the whole situation was handled by chairman Ron Martin, everyone now needs to get right behind the new man in charge for the good of the club.

He will be assessing the team during the remainder of the season and, while a place in the play-offs is still mathematically possible, it will be the next campaign which should realistically bring more chance of promotion.

Brown will therefore be running a close eye over all the players at his disposal but how many of them actually stay at Roots Hall remains to be seen.

Ben Reeves, Britt Assombalonga and Tamika Mkandawire are all only at Blues on loan, while Sean Clohessy and Tomlin are both out of contract at the end of the season and are bound to attract interest from elsewhere.

Bilel Mohsni is another whose deal is close to expiring and Brown certainly saw both the good and bad sides of the fiery Frenchman at Valley Parade.

Used in a defensive midfield position, he won numerous headers but, after being booked for dissent, he then rowed with team-mates, sulked after being substituted and was involved in needless verbal exchanges with Bradford supporters as he trudged down the touch-line on his way back to the dressing room.

Whether or not Brown stands for such antics remains to be seen but he must have been pleasantly surprised by the standard of the squad he has inherited.

When fully fit they are more than a match for any other side at this level and Brown will now be bidding to bring the best out of them on a more consistent basis, both this season and next.