SOUTHEND United may be rock bottom of the League Two table this Christmas.

But there is perhaps more reason than ever before this season to start to feel positive about the Shrimpers.

A 1-1 draw at Mansfield Town on Saturday extended Blues’ unbeaten run to four matches.

But it is difficult to know whether or not to be pleased or peeved by the latest share of the spoils.

Blues were in front for 52 minutes at Field Mill and were also denied the most blatant penalty you will see this season.

However, the Stags dominated the majority of the second half and eventually made their pressure count with a late leveller coming 11 minutes from time.

On the balance of play after the break, Mansfield arguably deserved their point.

But above else, this encounter – played on an exceptionally difficult pitch – underlined just how much harder Blues are now to beat.

More than a month ago, this was a game Mark Molesley’s side would certainly have lost and there was just no way the Shrimpers would previously have been able to withstand the level of pressure which came their way in the second half on Saturday.

Blues, who went into the game on the back of two wins, started brightly and should have been awarded a penalty inside the opening 10 minutes when Simeon Akinola was quite clearly brought down in the box by Ryan Sweeney.

However, referee Brett Huxtable somehow awarded a free-kick against the Shrimpers striker to set the tone for what was by far the worst performance from an official so far this season.

Blues substitute Michael Klass was exceptionally fortunate to avoid a second yellow card in the second half.

But by then Southend were bidding to hang on to their lead given to them by James Olayinka.

The on loan Arsenal youngster remains by far Blues’ biggest threat on the ball and he further underlined that point at Field Mill by scoring another excellent individual effort.

However, Olayinka is clearly playing through the pain with a groin problem which given his own individual warm up seemed to threaten his involvement on Saturday.

Olayinka eventually had to come off injured in the second half but it is not just his fitness that remains a concern.

Alan McCormack is perhaps more influential than any other member of the Shrimpers squad, given his experience and aggression in the centre of the park.

But McCormack now has issues with his calf muscles and was another to have to be taken off at the weekend.

The Shrimpers will desperately be hoping the Irishman is not set for another extended spell on the sidelines but he will need to be carefully managed for the remainder of the campaign.

Left-back Tom Clifford also suffered a nasty looking injury against Mansfield and, given their position, Blues can ill afford to be hit by another succession of injuries.

Results elsewhere at the weekend mean the Shrimpers are now three points from safety with a vastly inferior goal difference to those around them.

But eight points from the last four games has given Blues belief and hope as they bid to avoid a second successive relegation.

However, so bad was the Shrimpers’ start to the season that they have given themselves a real mountain to climb to work their way out of trouble. Three matches in succession against teams from the top half of the table will now provide a stern examination of how far the Shrimpers have progressed.

But, of course, improvements are still needed especially in attack where Blues must bring in more options during the January transfer window.

On Saturday, the Shrimpers finished the game with Greg Halford and Richard Taylor both playing out of position in attack.

And it is that area of the pitch, more than anywhere else, which most needs looking at, when Blues look to strengthen their squad in the new year.

But the Shrimpers have at least given themselves a fighting chance of survival, something which seemed incredibly unlikely just a few weeks ago.

Blues and boss Molesley have correctly scrapped their idealistic approach of pretty passing football for a style of play more suitable to League Two and the position Southend find themselves in at this stage. That has helped to keep the Shrimpers in games for far longer. And, long term, they will be hoping it keeps them in the Football League too.