Matt Paterson's late equaliser secured Southend United a 1-1 draw at Salisbury City this evening.
The Blues striker converted from close range just six minutes from time as the visitors fought back from being a goal behind at the break.
In a game of few goalscoring opportunities, Salisbury started strongly and, with just two minutes on the clock, striker Matt Wright headed over a right wing corner from Jamie Turley.
But Southend, who included trialist centre-back Mark Phillips in their side, immediately replied with Louie Soares striking the bottom of the right post with a crashing left foot shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Scott Spencer neatly tucked away the resulting rebound but the close range effort was ruled out for offside.
The speedy striker then fired straight at Salisbury keeper Tommy Smith from 20 yards in the 12th minute of the match and, moments later, a low right wing cross from Soares flew across the face of goal.
Another centre from Soares then resulted in Ryan Hall heading the ball wide of the left post but, in the 26th minute, it was the hosts' turn to waste an opportunity in front of goal as an unmarked Wright somehow failed to connect with Bradley Gray's left wing cross.
The chances continued to come Wright's way as he then headed Daryl McLean's excellent cross over Glenn Morris' goal.
But Salisbury did make the breakthrough in stunning fashion just before the break as midfielder Ben Adelsbury fired a fantastic 35 yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Southend made two changes during the interval with Rhys Evans replacing Morris between the sticks and Bilel Mohsni taking Anthony Grant's place in the centre of the park.
However, it was Salisbury who initially attacked at the start of the second half with Tom Dunford sending a well struck 25 yard shot against the top of the crossbar.
Blues boss Paul Sturrock responded by bringing on both Paterson and Harry Crawford up front in quick succession but both sides struggled to carve open opportunities.
Southend's fourth change came in the 80th minute when Mohsni was taken off following a number of crunching challenges which had seen him warned by referee John Busby on several occasions.
Mohsni was replaced by trialist Lee Smith and, four minutes after his arrival, Blues were back level following a close range finish from Paterson.
The striker, who also netted against Derby County on Monday, nodded home from close range after Hall's right wing cross had been headed back into his path by Graham Coughlan.
Paterson then fired wide of the left post from long range but neither Blues or Salisbury could conjure up a late winner.
Southend United: Morris (Evans 46), Clohessy, Coughlan, Phillips, Herd, Soares, Easton, Grant (Mohsni 46 (Smith 80)), Hall, Spencer (Crawford 62) Corr (Paterson 56)
Subs not used: Milner and Osefuwa.
Attendance: 536
