SOUTHEND United started 2017 with a 0-0 draw at Swindon Town this afternoon.

Substitute Zavon Hines fired against the post for the Shrimpers in the second half.

But Phil Brown’s side were forced to settle for their second draw in the space of three days.

With six minutes on the clock, Swindon came close to opening the scoring when Anton Rodgers’ left wing corner dropped invitingly into the path of Raphael Rossi-Branco whose powerful effort was impressively blocked by Southend goalkeeper Ted Smith.

Moments later, Robins skipper Jon Obika headed Luke Norris’ deep left wing cross over the crossbar before Blues hit back in the 34th minute with Anthony Wordsworth scuffing Marc Antoine Fortune’s cross inches wide of the right post and the outstretched boot of a sliding Simon Cox in the closing action of an uneventful first half.

After the break, Swindon striker Obika fired a low, left footed shot straight at Smith before Shrimpers boss Phil Brown attempted to improve his side by making his first substitution of the game in the 55th minute with Nile Ranger replacing Fortune in attack.

However, Swindon still threatened next with Johnny Goddard’s dangerous left wing cross being well cleared by Michael Timlin before Blues hit back with Jason Demetriou having a 25 yard free-kick tipped wide of the left post in unnecessarily theatrical fashion by Swindon goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.

Moments later and, with play switching back to the other end of the field, Obika then had another effort easily saved by Smith before the Shrimpers made their second game in the 66th Zavon Hines making his debut in place of Jermaine McGlashan on the left flank.

But Blues still struggled to threaten going forward and, in the 75th minute, Swindon wasted a fantastic chance to open the scoring when Obika curled a left footed shot over the crossbar when well placed inside the penalty area.

After surviving the scare, Southend hit back and also came close to scoring when Jason Demetriou’s effort from Simon Cox’s was kept out by Vigouroux who then did well to deny Hines from the resulting rebound.

The Shrimpers remained on top and, with 81 minutes on the clock, they went close to scoring when Hines was left free inside the left hand side of the penalty area and sent a well struck shot against the outside of the left post.

The miss nearly increased in significance for Blues just seconds later when Vigouroux’s long clearance resulted in substitute Jermaine Hylton racing in on goal but his effort was well blocked by Smith.

Hylton then sliced another excellent opportunity wide of the target from 12 yards before Southend boss Brown made his final change of the game in the 88th minute with Jack Bridge replacing Wordsworth in midfield.

But neither side were able to find a late winner.