PHIL Brown started his second spell in charge of Southend United with a 0-0 draw against Crawley Town at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Brown, who previously spent five years at the club, replaced Mark Molesley as Shrimpers manager in the week.

But he had to settle for a share of the spoils on his return as struggling Southend failed to win for the 10th home game in succession.

Blues pushed forward early on and a right wing cross from Ricky Holmes was bundled wide of the far post by Reeco Hackett-Fairchild before the visitors hit back with Ashley Nadeson firing over from 12 yards.

After surviving the scare, Southend replied with Greg Halford collecting a poorly hit backpass from Joe McNerney only to send an ambitious left footed chip straight at Crawley goalkeeper Glenn Morris.

In reply, Town’s James Tilley then saw a powerful effort headed off the line by on loan Blues defender Tyler Cordner before Crawley threatened just before the break with Nadeson overhitting an attempted pass when confronted with a fantastic goalscoring opportunity himself.

After the break, Shrimpers midfielder Nathan Ferguson – who was facing his former team - sent a 20 yard shot against the foot of the left post before the hosts were forced into making their first change of the afternoon with Brandon Goodship replacing the injured Timothee Dieng in the 57th minute.

A second change followed in the 68th minute with Emile Acquah replacing Halford in attack and just moments after the alteration Blues wasted a fine chance to break the deadlock with Hackett-Fairchild seeing his close range effort saved by Town goalkeeper Glenn Morris.

However, Crawley soon hit back and were soon denied by an unbelievable save from Mark Oxley as the Blues shot-stopper somehow kept out a close range effort from Nadesan.

The Shrimpers responded by making a double change in the 79th minute as both Terrell Egbri and James Olayinka entered the action in place of Holmes and Hackett-Fairchild.

Olayinka soon sliced a 20 yard shot wide of the let post but Blues could not break through and failed to score for the seventh home game in succession.