TWO goals in the space of three second half minutes saw Southend United fight back to secure a 2-2 draw with Northampton Town this afternoon.

The Shrimpers – who have still not won since the opening day of the season – trailed 2-0 at half-time.

But two goals in quick succession, from Jason Demetriou and Anthony Wordsworth, saw Phil Brown’s side secure a share of the spoils.

Northampton - who had Matt Crooks sent off deep into stoppage time - had earlier enjoyed the better of the first half with ex Blues striker Alex Revell wasting an early chance to put them in front when he headed Yaser Kasim’s right wing cross over the top of the South Stand net.

But, with 20 minutes on the clock, the visitors took the lead when Kasim’s right wing corner picked out Leon Barnett whose scuffed shot was deflected into his own net by Nile Ranger.

In a bid to make amends, Ranger soon had a low shot smothered by Northampton goalkeeper Matt Ingram before the on loan Queens Park Ranger shot-stopper impressively tipped over a well struck volley from Simon Cox.

After surviving the scares, Northampton hit back doubled their lead in the 43rd minute when Matt Crooks curled a low 20 yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

However, the Shrimpers stepped things up at the start of the second half and got back into the game in the 48th minute when Stephen McLaughlin rolled a free-kick into the path of Demetriou whose deflected 20 yard shot flew into the bottom left hand corner the net.

Two minutes later, Blues were back level when the returning Wordsworth burst into the box and fired home a low, left footed shot.

With Southend now firmly on top, McLaughlin wasted a golden chance to put them in front, heading Ryan Leonard’s right wing cross wide of the right post from close range.

In a further bid to get in front, Blues boss Phil Brown introduced Jermaine McGlashan and Stephen Hendrie into the action in place of Wordsworth and Dru Yearwood.

However, Northampton soon began to get back into the game with Daniel Powell sending a well struck 20 yard shot straight at Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

But neither side threatened in the closing stages which also saw Crooks sent off after he was shown a yellow card for failing to retreat from a Michael Timlin free-kick.