FOR the second Saturday in succession, Southend United had to settle for a 1-1 draw from a game they led for a long period.

Last weekend, Exeter City hit back to secure a stalemate at Roots Hall.

And this afternoon, Bury did the same with Shakers substitute Craig Jones cancelling out Barry Corr’s opener for Southend.

Blues had earlier come close to going in front when Michael Timlin’s inswinging free-kick from the right flank fizzed just wide of the right post.

Having survived the scare, Bury hit back and wasted a great chance to open the scoring in the 31st minute when a bad back header from John White sent Bury striker Courtney Duffus running clean through on goal.

However, Blues goalkeeper Daniel Bentley was alert to the situation and impressively pushed the ball to safety after Duffus had attempted to go round him.

Duffus’ miss was soon to increase on significance as the Shrimpers went in front in the 37th minute, with Corr on target for the second time this season.

The Irishman neatly teed up a left wing free-kick from Timlin before volleying a well struck shot in to the top right hand corner of the net from 10 yards.

Blues maintained their narrow lead until half time when the visitors made a double change as Craig Jones and Ryan Lowe entered the action in place of Chris Sedgwick Jim McNulty.

The new look Shakers were soon looking for an equaliser with Duffus sending a weak left footed shot straight at Bentley from 18 yards.

After that, Blues seemed to sit back to protect their lead and invited pressure on to themselves.

That led to the visitors drawing level in the 71st minute when Danny Mayor’s deep left wing cross was met by Jones at the far post who made no mistake with a firm, close range header.

Shortly after the equaliser, Southend were screaming for a penalty when David Worrall went down in the box after appearing to be pulled back by Tom Kennedy but referee Darren Drysdale bizarrely opted to wave play on.

Blues, who had earlier brought Myles Weston on to replace Lee Barnard, hit back by making their second change of the game with Jack Payne coming on for Will Atkinson.

But the youngster was unable to conjure up a late winner for the Shrimpers who have now not won in five games.