SOUTHEND United were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Exeter City at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Shrimpers went in front in the first half when David Worrall headed home his first goal for the club.

But Grecians’ striker Graham Cummins bagged an equaliser 13 minutes from time to ensure the game ended all square.

Southend, who have now not won in three games, were on top in the first half and, with seven minutes on the clock, the recalled Worrall delivered a great cross-field pass in to the path of Lee Barnard who sent a well struck half volley inches over the crossbar.

The Grecians soon hit back with Cummins firing a decent chance over the crossbar from 16 yards before Southend replied with Will Atkinson seeing a deflected effort fly past the left post.

Moments later, a long range effort from Barnard was smothered by Exeter goalkeeper Christy Pym before the former Tottenham Hotspur front-man wasted a golden chance to score in the 28th minute of the match.

Ryan Leonard’s driven effort was deflected in to Barnard’s path by Jack Payne but the striker could only send a low, eight yard shot against the foot of the left post.

But Exeter were not to be let off long as the Shrimpers went in front just five minutes, with Worrall on target.

The former Bury man was picked out at the far post by an excellent left wing cross from Will Atkinson and made no mistake with a firm, downward header from close range.

However, Exeter then came close to equalising on the stroke of half-time when some hesitant Shrimpers defending sent Cummings through on goal.

But Southend keeper Daniel Bentley was alert to the situation and rushed off his line to block the striker’s low shot.

After a quiet start to the second half, Blues almost doubled their lead when Pym fumbled a long ball forward and Payne’s low effort was blocked by City defender Craig Woodman.

Moments later, the Shrimpers again came close to scoring when Michael Timlin rolled a free-kick in to the path of Leonard whose well struck, 30 yard shot fizzed just wide of the right post.

But, having survived the scares, Exeter soon hit back and almost equalised when a well struck long range shot from Sercombe was pushed to safety by Bentley.

However, Exeter did draw back level in the 77th minute when Sercombe’s ball from the right hand enabled Cummins to shake off Adam Thompson and lift an intelligent effort over the advancing Daniel Bentley.

Blues boss Phil Brown immediately reacted by bringing Myles Weston on for Jack Payne and Barry Corr replaced Barnard shortly after too.

Despite the changes, it was Exeter who remained on top and they came close to grabbing all three points when Jimmy Keohane fired against the right post from 12 yards.