Southend United manager Alan Little singled out his goalkeeper Mel Capleton for an earful of scathing criticism after the team's 2-2 draw at York City.

Gordon Connelly had fired Blues into a half-time lead at Bootham Crescent on Friday, before the Seasiders handed their hosts a way back into the game with a couple of rearguard blunders.

York striker Marc Williams capitalised on shoddy defending from the Shrimpers to equalise before his team-mate beat a woefully positioned Capleton with a free-kick.

"Something is going to have to change," vowed ex-York boss Little, who saw Martin Carruthers' seventh goal of the season clinch a late point for his side.

"I don't like putting people under pressure, but we've been giving goals away for weeks and both of York's strikes have come from individual mistakes by my players.

"For their first goal, Mel has taken a good back-pass from Mark Beard, but only managed to kick the ball five yards upfield, which has led to York getting a cross into the box that Simon Coleman and Nathan Jones have failed to deal with.

"As for their second goal, Mel has again showed his lack of experience and general naivety by giving York a free shot at goal.

"York have been awarded a free-kick on the edge of our box and Mel is standing a foot away from his left-hand post and not left of centre where he should have been, which has given their player a virtually open goal to shoot in.

"Mel did very well for us at the end of last season when we were fighting to stay up, but I'm afraid he just doesn't know the game and these errors keeping costing us dearly."

However, Little admitted his side had put on their best attacking display for weeks, which should have seen them take all three points back to Roots Hall.

"We were the much better side and looked far more composed and comfortable than York did," he added.

"My players have created enough chances to win this game, but a 20-minute wobbly spell has cost us again.

"Getting three points from matches like this, instead of a draw, is the thin dividing line between getting promotion and finishing mid-table."

However, ex-York midfielder Connelly, who made a triumphant return to his former club with Blues' first goal, was a happy man.

"It was nice to come back here and score, especially as I got booed a bit in the first-half, which made me enjoy my goal even more," said the Scotsman, who had notched his second Southend goal."

Another success story for Blues was the return to midfield of ex-Tottenham man Kevin Maher, who was inspirational for the Shrimpers.

"All I want to do is play first-team football and I was delighted to make the side against York," said the modest playmaker.

"But I'm disappointed we didn't get three points against York, because that's what we came here for and it is no more than we deserved."

Southend have yet to make an announcement about the expected resignation of former chief executive John Adams.

Mr Adams was supposed to resign from the Shrimpers' board last Thursday, as revealed at the club's recent general meeting, but was unwilling to comment.

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