NILE Ranger’s return to action lasted just 11 minutes during Southend United’s drab 0-0 draw with Salford City at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The striker – who had not played since January 2018 – came on as a second half substitute for the Shrimpers.

But the forward soon had to make way with what seemed to be a groin problem as Blues secured another point in their bid to beat the drop.

After a quiet start to the game, a fine pass from Timothee Dieng teed up Emile Acquah who charged forward before seeing his left footed shot well saved by Salford goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky.

Moments later, Shaun Hobson’s deflected effort from Kyle Taylor’s left wing corner flew just wide of the left post.

But, with 39 minutes on the clock, Blues wasted an even clearer chance to score when Nathan Ferguson’s right wing cross was nodded back by John White only for Acquah to send his close range header straight at Hladky.

That made sure the game stayed goalless until half-time when the Shrimpers were forced into making a change between the sticks as emergency loan signing Alex Bass had to be taken off after just 45 minutes of his debut.

Bass was replaced between the sticks by Harry Seaden who soon pushed over a bouncing effort from Robbie Gotts at the far post.

In reply, Blues were then forced into making a second change in the 57th minute as Simeon Akinola limped off and was replaced by Ashley Nathaniel-George.

The Shrimpers also brought Alan McCormack on for Kyle Taylor at the same time before the hosts threatened with Nathan Ferguson having a deflected effort pushed wide of the right post by Hladky.

With play soon switching back to the other end of the field, the visitors came even closer to scoring when Ash Eastham headed the ball back across to Ian Henderson whose close range volley was superbly kept out by Seaden.

The young shot-stopper then also did well to smother a well struck shot from Di’Shon Bernard before Blues made another change in a bid to cause more problems of their own with Nile Ranger taking the place of Acquah in attack.

However, Ranger lasted just 11 minutes before having to go injured.

The striker was replaced by Jason Demetriou but neither side were able to make a late breakthrough, meaning the Shrimpers are now two points clear of the drop zone.