Southend United winger Scott Houghton apologised on behalf of his team-mates for Blues' horrendous first-half performance during Saturday's 3-3 Roots Hall draw with Rochdale.

"We were pathetic to say the least during the opening 45 minutes and all the players want to say sorry to our supporters," said Houghton.

The Shrimpers found themselves three goals behind before the interval as Dale striker Graham Lancashire, twice, and midfielder Gary Jones punished a dire opening display from the Seasiders.

For match report, see 'Comeback spares Blues' blushes' in Newsround

However, Houghton, aided by half-time substitutes Trevor Fitzpatrick, Kevin Maher and Leo Roget, inspired Southend to an amazing second-half comeback, watched by Blues' smallest home crowd of the season.

The little winger grabbed the first goal himself, before Shrimpers hitman Martin Carruthers and an own goal clinched an unlikely Third Division point.

"We were awful during the first-half against Rochdale and the gaffer made it quite clear to us during the interval that we needed to improve fast," added Houghton.

"We couldn't be any worse than we were in the first period and managed to turn around what can only be described as a dreadful performance.

"The boss threw on three substitutes, which shaked things up, and we showed we had the fight in us to come back and get a result."

Midfielder Maher, who played a key-role in Southend's second-half revival, was grateful for the chance to take part in Blues' fightback.

"All I want is to be involved in the first-team at Southend and I hope I proved against Rochdale that I've got a part to play here," he said.

"The manager gave three of us a chance at half-time and I'd like to think we helped change the outcome of the match.

"We had nothing to lose at three goals down and the fear factor had gone out of the game, but we instilled a bit of passion back into the team's performance, which paid off.

"I feel I've proved how desperate I am to do well for this club and hopefully will now get the chance to carry on playing in our next fixture."

Blues boss Alan Little was understandably a far from happy man, following his team's up-and-down display.

"Our first-half was abysmal and we even looked poor when the game was still all square at 0-0," he said.

"My players were going nowhere and once again raised questions about what they have got under their shirts.

"I made three changes at half-time, which paid off and rescued us a point, but I'd have changed all 11 players if I was allowed to."

However, Little denied he was feeling the heat after watching his side fail to win at Roots Hall for the seventh game in succession.

A run which has coincided with Blues taking a paltry seven league points from the last 30 on offer.

"I don't feel under pressure and will continue to get on with my job until I'm told otherwise," he vowed.

Winged wonder - Blues winger Scott Houghton redeemed himself with a sizzling second-half display during his sides' six-goal thriller against Rochdale at Roots Hall

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.