SOUTHEND United will head into the second leg of their play-off semi-final against Stevenage all square after the first meeting between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw at Broadhall Way this evening.

Dean Parrett had fired the home-side in front with a fine effort at the start of the second half before Shrimpers striker Barry Corr equalised on the hour mark.

And the Irishman’s effort means the winner of Thursday’s meeting at Roots Hall will advance to the play-off final at Wembley.

Stevenage started last night’s clash brightly and, after forcing two corners in the opening three minutes, the home-side came close to opening the scoring when Roarie Deacon’s low, left wing cross picked out Charlie Lee inside the penalty area.

But the former Blues transfer target saw his scuffed shot smartly gathered by goalkeeper Daniel Bentley low down to his left hand side.

However, after surviving the scare, Southend soon broke forward and also wasted a good chance to score after a neat move instigated by Stephen McLaughlin down the right hand side.

The on loan winger burst forward before teeing up fellow Irishman Corr who, in turn, rolled a pass into the path of Michael Timlin but he could only send a low, 12 yard shot wide of the left post.

Stevenage replied with Parrett having a dangerous right, wing cross tipped over by a backpedalling Bentley before the Blues shot-stopper easily gathered Chris Beardsley’s scuffed effort from the resulting left wing corner.

Moments later, Stevenage winger Deacon fired a close range effort straight at Bentley but, with 28 minutes on the clock, the game was held up for more than seven minutes following a sickening clash of heads between Timlin and Stevenage defender Bira Dembele.

After a lengthy spell of treatment, Timlin was replaced by Gary Deegan in the centre of the park but Dembele was remarkably allowed to continue.

Soon after the restart, Adam Barrett, who was making his 300th appearance for Blues, headed David Worrall’s left wing free-kick inches over the crossbar.

With Blues continuing to attack during nine minutes of added on time, Will Atkinson blazed over from 12 yards after a neat knock-down from Corr.

But, on the stroke of half-time, the Shrimpers wasted a golden chance to open the scoring when McLaughlin’s left wing cross was contested by Atkinson before falling into the path of Worrall just six yards from goal.

However, Worrall was unable to make a clean connection with the ball and his low shot was blocked by the legs of Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day to ensure the first half ended goalless.

The hosts made two changes at the break with Jon Ashton replacing the groggy Dembele at the back and Ben Kennedy replacing Deacon on the left flank.

And, six minutes after the restart, Stevenage took the lead with Parrett netting a fine, long range effort.

The move started following a poor pass from McLaughlin before Parrett was allowed far too much time and space to fire a fine, left footed shot into the top left hand corner of the net.

But Blues were behind for just nine minutes as they draw back level on the hour mark, with Corr bagging his 16th goal of the season.

The Shrimpers striker was picked out at the far post by an excellent right wing corner from McLaughlin and nodded home with a firm header which deflected in off Stevenage defender Andy Bond.

Blues initially remained on top after drawing back level with skipper John White having a deflected long range shot pushed wide of the left post by Day.

In reply, Stevenage soon almost regained the lead when Kennedy had a swerving long range parried to safety by Bentley with 76 minutes on the clock.

Two minutes later, the Shrimpers made their second substitution of the evening with Myles Weston replacing McLaughlin before a third change soon followed with Joe Pigott coming on for Corr.

Weston was soon involved as his deep right wing cross was volleyed just past the right post by Worrall and, deep into stoppage time Weston had an effort blocked by Day at his near post to ensure the game ended all square.