SOUTHEND United were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Wrexham at Roots Hall this afternoon after letting slip a two goal lead.

Goals from Sam Dalby and Rhys Murphy put the Shrimpers in a strong position.

But the big-spending Welshmen hit back to secure a share of the spoils.

The entertaining encounter saw Wrexham threaten early on with James Jones having a 25 yard shot tipped wide of the right post by Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold before the hosts hit back to open the scoring in the 26th minute, with Dalby on target.

The summer signing was picked out by a brilliant left wing cross from Harry Phillips and make no mistake with a clinical finish at the far post.

Moments later, Murphy sent a smartly hit 20 yard volley wide of the left post before Wrexham replied with Jake Hyde heading past the eight post from 12 yards.

After the break, a low left wing cross from Jack Bridge fizzed across the face of goal before Wrexham came close to equalising when a fine cross from Angus Dior teed up Hyde only for the striker to see his six yard shot superbly saved by Angus.

With play immediately switching back to the other end of the field, Murphy headed Jason Demetriou’s right wing cross over the crossbar from 12 yards.

However, Murphy was not to be denied for long as he doubled the Shrimpers’ lead in the 52nd minute as the striker raced onto a brilliant through ball from James Dunne before firing home a well-taken left footed shot from 12 yards.

But shell-shocked Wrexham immediately got back in the game as a fine right wing cross from Tyler French picked out Jamie Reckord who bundled the ball home from close range.

The Shrimpers were then forced into making their first change of the afternoon with Shaun Hobson replaced the injured Nathan Ralph and the hosts soon almost restored a two goal cushion with Nathan Ferguson sending a low shot just wide of the left post.

However, Wrexham were soon back on top and equalised in the 66th minute with French again causing damage the right hand side, delivering another fine cross which Angus converted at the far post.

The visitors came close to taking the lead when a low shot from Jordan Davies bounced back off the foot of the right post.

But, in a bid to get back on top, Blues boss Phil Brown made a second change in the 72nd minute with Matt Dennis taking the place of Dunne.

Wrexham remained on top though, with Jordan Ponticelli volleying wide of the right post from close range before the Shrimpers made their final change nine minutes from time with Terrell Egbri taking the place of Nathan Ferguson.

Blues soon threatened with Murphy firing wide of the left post from 20 yards but neither team were unable to conjure up a late winner.