SOUTHEND United moved out of the League Two drop zone with a 0-0 draw at table-topping Cambridge United this afternoon.

The game went ahead after a late pitch inspection at the Abbey Stadium.

And the Shrimpers were well worthy of at least a point against their high flying hosts.

In a game of few clear cut chances, Cambridge’s Joe Ironside saw an early header easily saved by Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley before the visitors replied in unusual fashion with Oxley himself going close with a long clearance was tipped over by his opposite number Callum Burton.

The Shrimpers then had shouts for a penalty waved away when Ashley Nathaniel-George went to ground in the box by Joe Ironside.

Moments later, a dangerous right wing cross from Elvis Bwomono was deflected behind for a corner before the hosts replied just before the break with Adam May having a well struck shot smartly saved by Oxley to his right hand side.

After the break, the Shrimpers threatened first with Simeon Akinola having an effort blocked in front of goal before Cambridge replied with Luke Hannant sending a long range effort wide of the right post.

Blues made their first change of the afternoon in the 66th minute with Reeco Hackett-Fairchild replacing Kyle Taylor in a change which saw the visitors switch to a 4-4-2 formation.

Acquah, who had been joined in attack by Simeon Akinola, soon sent a well struck effort into the side netting from a narrow angle before Timothee Dieng headed over following a right wing corner from Tom Clifford.

The Shrimpers were forced into a second change in the 89th minute with the fit-again Brandon Goodship taking the place of Akinola who was taken off after suffering a clash of heads with Jubril Okedina.

But Blues were unable to conjure up a late winner and had to instead settle for a hard-fought point.