SIMON Cox’s late penalty rescued a share of the spoils for Southend United against Bristol Rovers at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Blues seemed to be heading for defeat when Peter Hartley headed Rovers in front midway through the second half.

But Cox’s 81st minute spot kick meant the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

After a quiet start to the game, Rovers striker Ellis Harrison fired straight at Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley from 20 yards before Shrimpers winger Luke O’Neill warmed the hands of Steve Mildenhall at the other end of the field.

After that, not much happened until Rovers came close to scoring just before the break when Ollie Clarke’s low 25 yard shot was pushed wide of the left post by Oxley.

After the interval, Blues threatened with Stephen McLaughlin having an effort parried to safety by Mildenhall before Ryan Leonard’s long range effort – from the subsequent rebound – flew inches wide of the right post.

Moments later, Ben Coker fired a low, 20 yard effort straight at Mildenhall before the Pirates hit back with Matty Taylor having a fizzing effort from the edge of the penalty area tipped over the crossbar by Oxley.

But, from the resulting left wing corner – taken by Chris Lines in the 64th minute – the visitors took the lead as flag kick found Peter Hartley completed unmarked inside the six yard box and the centre-back made no mistake with a firm header into the right hand side of the North Bank net.

Blues hit back with two substitutes in quick succession as Jermaine McGlashan and Jack Bridge came on for O’Neill and David Mooney.

However, despite the changes, it was still Rovers who came close to scoring next as Lines’ left footed shot flew just inches wide of the left post.

Blues soon made a third change with Jason Williams coming on for Jason Demetriou and, in the 81st minute, they drew back level courtesy of a harshly awarded penalty.

Referee Gavin Ward adjudged Ellis Harrison to have handled Bridge’s left wing cross.

And that enabled Cox to stroke the spot-kick slightly to the right hand side of the net to ensure a share of the spoils for the Shrimpers.