SOUTHEND United were left ruing a number of missed chances after being held to a 1-1 draw at Chelmsford City on Monday night.

Blues went ahead after just two minutes at Melbourne Park with Anthony Straker firing home a fantastic left footed shot.

But the Shrimpers then failed to take a hatful of opportunities and eventually had to settle for a draw when Chelmsford substitute Bertie Brayley bagged an impressive late equaliser.

Southend’s only successful shot got the evening off to a stunning start when Straker, who again featured on the left hand side of midfield, collected a pass from Freddy Eastwood before sending a powerful 16 yard shot in to the top right hand corner of the net.

In reply, Chelmsford winger Sam Long then worked his way past Blues’ new left-back Ben Coker before seeing his low shot smothered by Southend goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

But, with 18 minutes on the clock, the Shrimpers wasted a golden opportunity to double their lead when Ryan Leonard somehow fired of gaping gall from close range after good work from Eastwood.

At the start of the second half, Ryan Cresswell headed Coker’s right wing corner wide of the left post before the defender, who is seeking a move away from Roots Hall, nodded another flag kick, this time from Will Atkinson wide of the opposite upright.

Southend then wasted a clearer chance to score in the 72nd minute when Marc Laird sent Eastwood clean through on goal.

However, the striker took the ball wide of goal when attempting to round the Chelmsford goalkeeper before teeing up Leonard who headed wide of the left post from six yards.

The missed opportunities came back to haunt Blues in the 84th minute when Bentley punched a left wing corner in to the path of Brayley whose well struck 18 yard shot took a slight deflection before flying in to the roof of the net.

Southend, who handed trials to ex Stevenage striker Don Cowan and former MK Dons midfielder Mark Carrington, almost bagged a late winner right at the death but Ricky Spiggs’ misdirected header from John White’s right wing cross was superbly parried to safety by his own goalkeeper.

Southend United: Bentley, White, Cresswell, Phillips, Coker, Leonard (Carrington 72), Atkinson, Laird, Straker, Eastwood, Cowan (Njie 62)