SOUTHEND United were twice denied by the woodwork during a drab 0-0 draw at Wealdstone this afternoon.

Rhys Murphy and Harry Phillips both saw shots hit the crossbar during the first half before the game dropped in intensity after the break with Blues rarely threatening going forward.

The Shrimpers had more about them in the opening 45 minutes and came close to taking an early when a fine pass from Nathan Ralph teed up Matt Dennis down the left hand side.

But, after cutting inside, the on loan Norwich City youngster saw his effort pushed wide of the target by Wealdstone goalkeeper George Wickens.

Moments later, Nathan Ferguson fired over the crossbar after good approach play from both Jack Bridge and Dennis but, in the 26th minute, the Shrimpers came even closer to breaking the deadlock as an acrobatic volley from Murphy bounced back off the crossbar.

After surviving the scare, Wealdstone soon hit back and gave Blues a real scare just before the half hour mark when Steve Arnold rushed off his line and brought down Wealdstone striker Joshua Umerah.

But, with Shrimpers defender rushing back to help the situation, referee Matthew Russell showed the shot-stopper just a yellow card before Charlie Cooper wasted the resulting free-kick, firing woefully over from 20 yards.

Blues soon got back on top with the impressive Harry Phillips seeing a well struck effort tipped onto the top of the crossbar by Wickens.

In reply, Ashley Charles then saw a curling free-kick impressively pushed to safety by Arnold before Wealdstone threatened again at the start of the second half with Jack Cawley sending a deflected free-kick inches past the right post.

Cooper then fired a tame 20 yard shot straight at Arnold before Blues replied with Jack Bridge sending a right wing cross across the face of goal.

Shrimpers boss Phil Brown responded by making his first change of the game in the 58th minute with Matt Rush taking the place of Murphy in attack.

However, the game soon began to drift with neither side looking like scoring during a drab period of play.

Blues made a second change in the 80th minute with Hamzad Kargbo taking the place of Bridge but it was the hosts who almost netted at the death with Craig Fasanmade seeing his 12 yard shot smartly saved by Arnold