SOUTHEND United were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Northampton Town at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Shrimpers twice took the lead with Jermaine McGlashan and Simon Cox firing home.

But the Cobblers were able to fight back both times to secure a share of the spoils.

SOUTHEND United manager, Phil Brown, was a frustrated figure after his side twice surrendered the lead to dropped two vital Sky Bet League One points against Northampton Town at Roots Hall.

Speaking after, what was otherwise a pulsating clash, Brown said: “It was two points dropped, but it wasn’t for the want of trying. The way we played in the first and second half, I thought there was only going to be one winner.

Northampton twice fought back to secure a League One draw at Southend.

The Shrimpers moved into the play-off places at the expense of FA Cup fifth-round heroes Millwall,n FA Cup action, with a point at Roots Hall.

But the Cobblers dug in and John Joe O'Toole's equaliser just before half time saw Justin Edinburgh's side pick up a share of the spoils.

Such has been the swift progress made by Justin Edinburgh at Northampton that this gutsy away performance and hard-earned point came to the surprise of very few. 

Scarcely six weeks ago, a trip to someone like Southend, a team enjoying good form and one who boast a fine home record, would have been a foregone conclusion and surely ended in defeat, even more so after conceding an early goal.

Instead, the Cobblers did something which they’ve only done once before this season: recover from a losing position and collect a point.