CHESTERFIELD substitute Fraser Kerr scored an own goal with his first touch to secure Southend United a 2-2 draw at the Technique Stadium this afternoon.

The Shrimpers seemed to be heading for their first league defeat since December when Calvin Miller headed the hosts back in front 13 minutes from time.

But Blues hit back late on with Kerr slicing Jack Bridge’s right wing cross into his own net to make it 12 games without defeat for Kevin Maher’s side.

Second placed Chesterfield started brightly with two Miller crosses causing problems before centre-back Laurence Maguire headed over from 12 yards.

But the hosts remained on top and opened the scoring in the 10th minute, with Jeff King on target.

The right-back collected a square pass from Jim Kellerman before lining up a 25 yard shot which deceived Blues goalkeeper Steve Arnold in the air and flew high into the left hand side of the goal.

In reply, Shrimpers defender Nathan Ralph headed a right wing cross from Will Atkinson wide of the right post before the home-side replied with Akwasi Asante seeing his deflected effort pushed over by Arnold.

Blues rarely threatened during a scrappy first half but came to scoring immediately after the break when Ralph’s header from Harrison Neal’s right wing corner was tipped over the crossbar by Chesterfield goalkeeper Scott Loach.

But the Shrimpers continued to threaten and drew back level in the 52nd minute, with Dalby on target from the penalty spot.

The spot-kick was given after Atkinson was brought by Loach when clean through on goal before Dalby fired wide after referee Aaron Jackson initially allowed play to continue.

However, once Dalby had failed to hit the target, Jackson pointed to the spot and the Shrimpers striker again stepped forward.

Dalby missed a spot-kick at the same end against the Spireites in the FA Cup back in November but he was on target this time around, despite the best efforts of Loach.

The Chesterfield custodian went the correct way, low down to his right hand side, but could only deflect the spot-kick into the other side of the goal.

The Spireites responded by making two substitutions in quick succession and one of the newcomers, Joe Quigley, soon saw a header well saved by Arnold low down to his right hand side.

Blues responded with their first change of the afternoon as Callum Powell replaced Matt Dennis in attack.

But just seconds later and, with 77 minutes on the clock, Chesterfield regained the lead as King’s right wing cross found the head of Calvin Miller who guided a cushioned effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The Shrimpers immediately made a second substitution with Jack Bridge coming on for Ollie Kensdale and Bridge was involved straight away as he sent Powell clean through on goal, only for the substitute to curl his shot wide of the right post when he should have done far better.

Chesterfield soon came close to making the most of the let-off with Joe Rowley sending an angled effort against the crossbar but Blues hit back to equalise again in the 88th minute.

Bridge was again at the heart of the move as his low right wing cross was met by Kerr at the near post who diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper Loach to secure a third successive draw for the Shrimpers.