A RESOLUTE Southend United ground out a hard fought 0-0 draw at Doncaster Rovers tonight.

Just four days on from being far too open in a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Walsall at Roots Hall, Blues lined up with a five man midfield at the Keepmoat Stadium.

And their well organised display was rewarded by a share of the spoils.

Goalscoring chances were largely few and far between during the even encounter but Blues did waste a great opportunity to score after just two minutes when Kevan Hurst’s left wing corner was headed over the crossbar from 10 yards by Cian Bolger.

Moments later, the recalled David Worrall curled an effort straight at Rovers goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann from a narrow angle After the winger’s effort, there was minimal action until the 33rd minute when Shrimpers striker David Mooney saw his low, left footed shot from 25 yards smothered by Stuckmann down to his left hand side.

That ensured a mostly uneventful first half ended goalless but Blues momentarily threatened at the start of the second half with Hurst sending a 20 yard shot wide of the left post.

In a bid to become more of a threat, Shrimpers boss Phil Brown made his first change of the night in the 61st minute with Myles Weston replacing Hurst on the left flank.

However, it was Doncaster who threatened next when a deflected left wing cross from Aaron Taylor-Sinclair drifted just over the head of Blues goalkeeper before Adam Barrett did well to head clear.

Having survived the slight scare, Barrett was soon playing alongside a different defensive partner as Bolger was forced off with an injury in the 67th minute and was replaced at the heart of the back four by Luke Prosser.

But, following the defensive alteration, Doncaster came close to taking the lead when Harry Forrester cut in from the left hand side and unleashed a low shot which Bentley did well to push to safety down to his right hand side.

The Shrimpers immediately responded by making their third change of the night in the 70th minute as Joe Pigott took Mooney’s place in attack.

And, shortly after the substitution, Blues almost broke the deadlock when Worrall’s left wing cross teed up Michael Timlin whose first time shot, from 12 yards, was brilliantly pushed over the crossbar by Stuckmann.

Timlin then sent a speculative effort, from just inside the Doncaster half, over the crossbar before Pigott also sent a chipped effort off target from the edge of the penalty area.

With Blues remaining on top in the closing stages, Ryan Leonard and Worrall were then both denied by Stuckmann but Southend were unable to make a late breakthrough as they secured their first goalless draw away from home since being held at AFC Wimbledon in March.