Southend United fought back to secure a hard fought 1-1 draw at Sincil Bank last night - as Wayne Gray's first half spot-kick handed the Shrimpers their first point of the season.

Two on to one - recalled midfielder Mark Bentley is stopped in his tracks

The speedy striker cooly converted from 12 yards to level proceedings after City's Gary Taylor-Fletcher had headed the home side into a ninth-minute lead in the opening action of the game.

The former Leyton Orient forward, who also scored at Shrewsbury on Saturday, rushed unattended into the Shrimpers penalty area to nod a deflected left-wing cross from Michael Blackwood low into the bottom left hand corner of the net from eight yards.

In reply, the recalled Mark Bentley then saw a vicious half volley bravely blocked by the gangly Ben Futcher after Drewe Broughton had headed a deep Andy Edwards free kick invitingly into his path.

Following Blues' brief foray forwards however, the Imps began to create a series of clear cut chances.

As a result Francis Green fired a long-range effort straight at Bart Griemink in the 17th minute of the match and, just seconds later, Taylor-Fletcher sent an angled chipped sailing inches over the Shrimpers' cross bar after skipping past the outstretched leg of Edwards.

With 24 minutes on the clock, Taylor-Fletcher was causing problems once again as his powerful left volley shot was impressively palmed away by Griemink who also collected the subsequent rebound with Green lurking dangerously .

The former Swindon Town shot-stopper was called into action soon after as he superbly tipped Simon Weaver's header from another curling Blackwood cross around the left upright from close range.

But, from the resulting well worked short corner, City should have extended their advantage as Weaver again leapt highest to head Green's left-wing cross wide of the right post when he should have done better just five yards from goal.

That miss soon increased in significance as, seconds later -- in the 34th minute --the Shrimpers were awarded a penalty, on the advice of assistant referee Geoff Laws who adjudged City custodian Alan Marriott to have fouled Wayne Gray.

The decision infuriated Lincoln's loyal faithful, while the players were also venting their fury at the match officials during a lengthy period of protests.

After the furore died down though, Gray strode forward to confidently roll the resulting penalty into the bottom right-hand corner of the net for the Shrimpers first goal of the season.

Published Wednesday August 11, 2004

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