SOUTHEND United’s remarkable November record continued with a 0-0 draw at Walsall this afternoon – but the Shrimpers will be disappointed not to have won.

Phil Brown’s side had two strong shouts for penalties waved away by referee Carl Boyeson before Stephen McLaughlin wasted a golden chance to score.

But Blues were still able to secure a share of the spoils to ensure they have still not lost a league game in November since 2009.

Walsall came close to opening the scoring after just six minutes when Josh Ginnelly’s left wing cross picked out Andreas Makris and his flicked effort smacked against the right post.

Moments later, Makris saw another low shot smothered by Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley but, after surviving the scares, the Shrimpers also began to threaten and had strong penalty appeals waved away by referee Carl Boyeson in the 22nd minute.

A strong jinking run from Nile Ranger saw his clean through on goal before he went to ground when challenged by Walsall defender Adam Chambers but play was waved on by the officials, much to the frustration of Blues Brown.

With the Shrimpers continuing to threaten, Anthony Wordsworth then saw a 25 yard free-kick impressively collected by Walsall before the Saddlers immediately hit back with Makris sending a deflected effort inches wide of the left post.

But, with play soon switching back to the other end of the field, Blues winger McLaughlin then had a powerful effort tipped over by Etheridge before Wordsworth fired wide of the left post from 12 yards after neat approach from Ranger and Simon Cox.

Wordsworth then saw another effort impressively tipped over the crossbar by Etheridge before Blues started the second half strongly and had more penalty appeals waved away in the 55th minute when Ranger appeared to be pushed inside the area by Matt Preston.

Nine minutes later the Shrimpers made their first change with Marc-Antoine Fortune coming on for Cox in attack and, following the change, McLaughlin saw another low shot smothered by Etheridge.

But, in the 71st minute, the winger wasted a far clearer chance to score as a misplaced pas from Preston saw the Irishman race clean through on goal only for the Irishman to have his powerful effort blocked by the advancing Etheridge.

Seconds after the golden opportunity, the Shrimpers made a second substitution with Jermaine McGlashan coming on for Wordsworth but Walsall threatened next, in the 82nd minute, with Kieron Morris having a powerful 20 yard shot parried to safety by Oxley to ensure the game ended without a goal.

However, that was not the end of the drama as both Anton Ferdinand and Scott Laird were booked after the final whistle following a heated exchange between a melee of players.