SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown felt tiredness was to blame for the Shrimpers’ 0-0 draw at Swindon Town.

The share of the spoils extended Blues’ unbeaten run of results to 13 matches.

But Brown thought his side could have picked up all three points if they had not been struggling with fatigue.

“There was an obvious fatigue factor as we played for the second time in three games and I think that’s why we didn’t take our chances,” said Brown.

“Jason Demetriou’s touch let him down for our best chance and Zavon Hines hit the post but I’m not going to complain too much.

“We had a good defensive mentality and we’re 13 games unbeaten which is very pleasing.”

The draw, in Blues’ first outing of 2017, saw Brown’s side slip down to seventh in the League One table.

But Brown felt both sides could have won it late on.

“We attacked, they attacked, we attacked and it was like a game of basketball towards the end,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“I have no idea how the game stayed 0-0 because it was so open and there wasn’t much of a midfield battle going on at all.

“Neither set of strikers were able to finish their chances but I’m not going to complain too much.

“We could have snatched it at the end but we could have lost it too so a point isn’t the end of the world and it keeps our good run going.”

Blues are now unbeaten in 13 league games and have not lost since the end of October.

But the impressive record could come under threat in the next few weeks as the Shrimpers host three of the top four in their next three outings.

“It’s a tough run we have coming up but we’re looking forward to it,” said Brown.

“We want to test ourselves against the top teams and if we’re going to do anything this season we need to do it at home.

“First up are the league leaders Sheffield United and hopefully Roots Hall will be packed out again for another big game.”