Southend v Walsall

Southend’s domination on Saturday against Walsall didn’t pay off against relegation strugglers Walsall. Luckily other games in Division One went Southend’s way with Colchester losing and Swansea drawing against Huddersfield on Friday. Brentford also lost to Port Vale.

Southend now have a four point gap at the top of the league, but really could have done with the extra two points ahead of this Saturdays game against Essex rivals Colchester United.

Spencer Prior was stretchered off early on in the first half with an injured knee, of which Efe Sodje came on as substitute in defence.

Lee Bradbury and Mitchell Cole came close in the first half with good efforts, but good saves by Walsall keeper Oakes managed to keep them in the game.

Mitchell Cole also then had to be substituted by James Lawson when he was brought down on the edge of the Walsall box by Anthony Gerrard.

Shaun Goater came close in the second half when he managed to turn his marker, only for keeper Oakes to be bravely rushing out to block the shot.