DAVE Penney felt Southend United should have secured all three points on his return to Bristol Rovers.

The Shrimpers assistant manager endured just 13 games in charge of the Pirates before being dismissed in March 2011.

And he was frustrated not to triumph on his first game back at the Memorial Stadium.

“We’re disappointed we’ve not won the game because I felt we did enough and had enough chances in the second-half to get the victory,” said Penney.

“You’ve got to take those kinds of opportunities when they come your way and unfortunately we didn’t.

“That’s cost us the three points but a draw isn’t a bad result here because they have the third or fourth best home record at this level.

“Our display was good too and if we had got a goal then it would’ve been the perfect away performance.”

Blues were rarely troubled at the back as they secured a second successive clean sheet.

And that also delighted Penney.

“We’ve not really had to do an awful lot defensively throughout the game but a clean sheet is always pleasing,” said the former Doncaster Rovers boss.

“Dan Bentley has had to be alert at set pieces but that is about all.

“The young centre-halves did well again so it was just a shame we couldn’t do the business at the other end.”

Without the suspended Barry Corr, Blues switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Freddy Eastwood and Lee Barnard both lining up in attack.

However, it was substitute Jamar Loza who missed the best chance of the night when he headed over the crossbar from six yards.

“Jamar caused them problems with his pace when he came on but if you’re being critical then he should really have scored with the header,” said Penney.

“Before then Freddy and Lee had linked up well but we didn’t really create too much in the first-half.

“We were better in the second and created more opportunities but we couldn’t take them.

“And that’s the main thing that has to change if we are to turn things around and get back to winning ways.”