Southend United stretched their unbeaten Third Division run to three matches with a hard fought 0-0 draw at Carlisle United last night.

The Seasiders turned in a resolute defensive performance as they battled against the elements at a wet and windy Brunton Park.

Blues clocked up the fifth clean sheet of their travels this season -- which was a major improvement on their previous away trip, a 5-1 defeat at Hartlepool.

And Rob Newman's side could have quite easily returned home with all three points under their belts -- and only their third away win of the season -- after creating the best chance of the evening.

But skipper Phil Whelan hit the underside of the Cumbrians' crossbar from six-yards after the interval, with midfielder Stuart Thurgood seeing his effort from the rebound palmed to safety by home keeper Peter Keen.

However, the big bonus to come out of this crazy midweek slog -- which was Blues' longest journey of the season -- was the return to action of central midfielder Kevin Maher.

The 25-year-old was thrown straight back into the first team after missing five weeks with a toe injury, but he showed no signs of rustiness as he put in an impressive display in the centre of the park.

And Blues boss Newman will hope that Maher will snub the cash-laden advances of Leyton Orient to put pen-to-paper on a new Roots Hall contract this week.

Another player who has a big decision to make is young centre-half Leon Cort, who put in another outstanding defensive display against the Border City club.

After a painfully slow start to the match, which was played on a sticky pudding of a pitch, Carlisle created the first opening after eight minutes.

Striker Steve Halliday met a left-wing cross from tricky wideman Brendan McGill, but his headed effort was comfortable for Blues custodian Darryl Flahavan.

Southend replied through Whelan, who headed a dangerous free-kick from midfielder Ian Selley past the right upright.

And the Southend captain went on to cause more problems with his height as he combined with Cort to go close again, before midfield workhorse Thurgood linked up with forwards Tes Bramble and Barrington Belgrave, but drove wide.

However, Carlisle soon hit back, with speedy loan wideman McGill instigating more havoc inside the Seasiders' penalty area.

The Sunderland player left Shrimpers right-back Stephen Broad for dead and whipped over an inviting centre, but Blues' former Carlisle defender Damon Searle cleared the danger with home hitman Ian Stevens breathing down his neck.

Just before half-time, the Seasiders came within a whisker of grabbing the lead when another Barry-Murphy corner found Maher in acres of room, but the midfielder lifted his shot inches over the bar from 12 yards.

Blues were forced into a change of personnel four minutes after the interval, with Bramble limping out of the action with a groin problem.

Thurgood was pushed up front alongside Belgrave, giving Mark Beard, back from a three-match suspension, a chance on the right of midfield.

And straight after making the switch, Southend should have taken the lead.

Cort found central defensive partner Whelan inside the Carlisle box, but his close-range drive hit the underside of the bar, leaving Thurgood to turn away in disbelief as Keen parried his follow up effort from the rebound.

But as the game wore on the Cumbrians started to get on top.

However, the last word of a torrid affair went to Blues and unsurprisingly Whelan, who failed to make another chance count as he headed Selley's free-kick straight at the grateful Keen.

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002