SOUTHEND United made sure of their place in the National League play-offs with a 0-0 draw at Gateshead this afternoon.
The Shrimpers had the better of the chances in a nervy encounter.
But, roared on by 1, 755 travelling fans, Kevin Maher’s side stood firm to pip their hosts to a seventh placed finish.
Southend started brightly and forced two corners inside the opening four minutes before Oli Coker fired over from 20 yards following a half cleared Jack Bridge cross.
Moments later, Charley Kendall’s low right wing cross was smartly smothered by Gateshead goalkeeper George Shelvey before Kendal diverted a dangerous right wing cross from Keenan Appiah-Forson wide of the right post.
Gateshead hit back with Jovan Malcolm volleying over the crossbar from 25 yards before the Shrimpers got back on top with Harry Taylor seeing his header from Oli Coker’s right wing corner gathered by Shelvey at the second attempt.
But, with 32 minutes on the clock, Blues wasted a great chance to score as Coker’s right wing cross picked out Ben Goodliffe whose close range header was saved by the legs of Shelvey.
At the start of the second half, Hopper saw his close range shot easily saved by Shelvey following good approach play from Appiah-Forson.
And the home-side’s custodian was forced into action again on the hour mark as he parried away a low, 20 yard shot from Goodliffe.
Gateshead soon replied with Tyrelle Newton sending a long range effort straight at Blues goalkeeper Nick Hayes before Shrimpers boss Kevin Maher opted to make a double change in the 69th minute with Josh Walker and Macauley Bonne replacing Kendall and Hopper in attack.
Gateshead soon made a triple change with Branden Horton, Frank Nouble and Charlie Colkett all entering the action in a bid to make become more threatening in the final third.
With the flurry of alterations continuing, Southend made another change 10 minutes from time with Cav Miley taking the place of Coker.
Moments later, Leon Parillon took the place of Bridge down the left hand side and the Shrimpers soon threatened with Appiah-Forson’s deflected right wing cross dropping just wide of the left post.
However, Southend stood firm throughout eight minutes of added on time to set up a play-off clash at Richdale next Thursday.
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