MATT Richards’ stoppage time penalty meant Southend United had to settle for a sickening 1-1 draw against Cheltenham Town at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Kevan Hurst’s goal just before half-time seemed to have secured the Shrimpers a sixth successive win and a place at the top of the League Two table.

But Richards’ 96th minute spot-kick, which came after Anthony Straker had handled the ball at the far post, meant Phil Brown’s side had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Before the late drama, Cheltenham had been on top in the opening exchanges and, with five minutes on the clock, a right wing cross from Jermaine McGlashan was only just missed by a sliding Byron Harrison at the far post.

With the Robins continuing to attack, Kemar Roofe then had a low 12 yard shot well saved by Southend goalkeeper Daniel Bentley before the young Shrimpers shot-stopper also did well to keep out a deflected low free-kick from David Noble.

Blues steadied the early storm of Cheltenham pressure and created a chance of their own in the 33rd minute but Barry Corr sent his tame, deflected shot from 12 yards straight at visiting goalkeeper Scott Brown.

However, the Shrimpers went in front – with 41 minutes on the clock – as Hurst continued his fine goalscoring form.

The in-form winger was picked out by Corr’s downward header from John White’s right wing cross and, after seeing his initial shot saved by Brown, Hurst fired the rebound in to the back of the North Bank net from six yards.

The effort handed Hurst his fourth goal in five games and his sixth of the campaign to equal his tally from the whole of last season.

After a quiet start to the second half, Cheltenham soon hit back on the hour mark with Noble having a well struck long range free-kick punched away by Bentley.

Blues soon replied with skipper White sending a 30 yard shot wide of the left post but Cheltenham then also threatened with Jermaine McGlashan volleying straight at Bentley from 12 yards.

The Shrimpers soon responded by bringing Conor Clifford on for Marc Laird before Adam Thompson also came on for Hurst.

But the changes were unable to help Blues see out the game as six minutes in to stoppage time referee Trevor Kettle pointed to the spot after Straker handled the ball at the far post.

That enabled Richards to confidently fire the penalty in to the left hand side of the goal to secure a share of the spoils for the Robins and bring Blues' winning run to an end.