SOUTHEND United played out an uneventful 0-0 draw at relegation rivals Grimsby Town thus afternoon.

The two teams started the afternoon in League Two’s relegation zone and, on a difficult pitch, they both struggled to carve out chances.

Blues were initially on top with Reeco Hackett-Fairchild sending a right footed shot wide of the right post from a narrow angle before the hosts hit back with Matt Green sending a deflected effort straight at Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

Further opportunities remained few and far between and the Shrimpers were forced into making their first change of the afternoon in the 34th minute with Alan McCormack replacing the injured James Olayinka.

Moments after the change, Ashley Nathaniel-George saw a long range effort smothered by Town goalkeeper Jamie McKeown who also gathered a 25 yard effort from Hackett-Fairchild at the start of the second half.

Following a scrappy period of play, Nathaniel-George saw another effort deflect just over the crossbar before the winger was also denied by right at the death after the ball dropped at the far post.