SOUTHEND Saxons’ Danny Cleare bagged his first league try for 18 months in Saturday’s 29-29 draw with Old Albanians.

But the winger was still unsure whether or not he should be celebrating.

Saxons led 17-5 at half-time but eventually needed two tries in the last nine minutes to force a draw.

And that left Cleare suffering mixed emotions at the final whistle.

“It was a strange one really because we were in control at one point before having to fight back late on so it was definitely a case of mixed emotions,” said Cleare.

“We play to win so we were frustrated we didn’t get one on Saturday but, in truth, a draw was probably a fair result in the end.

“For myself personally it was good to get the try and hopefully I can get a few more now as we’re playing a more expansive game this season which is exciting to see.

“But it’s the results which matter most and it was good to pick up three more points at the weekend to continue what I think has been an encouraging start to the season.”

Southend started strongly at the weekend with centre Chris Vaughan touching down for a try which was converted by Brad Burr.

In reply, visiting full-back James Hearn soon scored a try which went unconverted before a penalty from Burr put Saxons 10-5 in front.

A penalty try which Burr also converted soon increased Southend’s lead even further but Old Albanians responded superbly at the start of the second half with three tries in the space of 20 minutes to lead 29-17.

But Southend, who handed a debut to new back row Ian Morrison, got back into the game in the 71st minute when Cleare scampered down the wing to score.

Four minutes later, a fantastic grubber kick from Burr led to Sonny Gay also touching down and Burr’s conversion levelled the score at 29-29.

However, the drama did not stop there as Old Albanians also missed a late penalty which would have won them the game.

The draw saw Southend slip to ninth in the standings ahead of Saturday’s visit to third placed Canterbury.

Southend: Meads, Billings, Gay, Vaughan, Cleare, Burr, Daly, Strachan, Grier, Bevans-Royston, Chesney, Fombo, Morrison, Hudson, Twight

Replacements: Bailey, Day-White, Barker, Ashton & Taylor.