Steve Tilson was pleased Southend United managed to secure an overdue cleansheet, but was left with the familiar feeling of needing his players to find the back of the net.

The Blues chief was full of praise for the players work rate and believes the cleansheet does give the team something to build on for their remaining 11 games, where picking up results has become imperative.

"It was great to keep a cleansheet today, because we have not had one for a while," Steve told Blues Player.

"It gives us something to build on in these remaining 11 games.

"We just need to put the ball in the back of the net. Exeter had some half chances and so did we, but neither side took theirs and that is why we are both down the bottom of the table.

"We got into some areas, but we didn't take our chances.

"I can't fault the lads for effort today though, because they have run themselves into the ground.

"From that point of view I have to be pleased. Of course we wanted to win, but the player have given me everything

"As a team, we defended really well and looked solid.

"We just need to find the back of the net, but Lee Barnard scored 17 goals for us and if you take that away, it's a big ask for the strikers here.

"The likes of Leeds and Norwich have got a lot of firepower. We only have Scott Vernon, Matt Paterson and Scott Spencer; that is what we have got and that is what we have to work with.

"We have to keep encouraging them now."