SOUTHEND United slipped back into the League Two relegation zone after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Oldham Athletic.

The Shrimpers, who are below Barrow on goal difference, were the better side at Boundary Park.

But Blues were again unable to convert the chances coming their way with striker Emile Acquah wasting a hat-trick of excellent opportunities.

Oldham wasted a good early chance to take the lead when Bobby Grant headed over from close range before Southend hit back with Acquah firing over from the edge of the penalty area.

Clear cut chances remained at a minimum until Blues twice came close to scoring in the 35th minute.

Acquah saw his header from a Tom Clifford free-kick well saved by Oldham goalkeeper Ian Lawlor and, as the ball came back into the box, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild sent a well struck half volley against the crossbar.

Two minutes after the break, Blues were again denied by the woodwork when Hackett-Fairchild’s right wing cross picked out Acquah who sent his header against the underside of the crossbar.

And, just a minute later, Acquah wasted another great chance to score as he raced onto a through ball from Simeon Akinola before firing tamely wide of the left post with just Lawlor to beat.

Acquah then made way for Ashley Nathaniel-George in the Shrimpers’ first change of the afternoon and the visitors soon pushed forward once again with Nathan Ferguson having a deflected long range effort easily saved by Lawlor.

Moments later, Lawlor also gathered a weak half volley from Akinola before Blues made a double change in the 68th minute with Greg Halford and Elvis Bwomono entering the action in place of Kyle Taylor and Shaun Hobson.

Another change soon followed with Akinola limping off with what seemed to be a hamstring problem and he was surprisingly replaced by Jason Demetriou despite Brandon Goodship and Ricky Holmes both being on the bench.

Oldham soon replied with Grant heading straight at Montgomery from close range before Piergianni nodded an excellent opportunity over the crossbar late on.

But Blues, who have now failed to score in four of their last five games, held on for a share of the spoils.