Match ends, Stevenage 1, Southend United 1.
StevenageStevenage1SouthendSouthend United1
Barry Corr's 60th-minute header secured a draw for Southend in the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final at Stevenage.
Dean Parrett had put the hosts in front with a 25-yard effort after half-time.
The first half was delayed for eight minutes because of a nasty clash of heads between Southend's Michael Timlin and Stevenage captain Bira Dembele.
Timlin required 15 stitches in a head wound and was substituted, while Dembele was replaced at the interval.
Both players watched the second half from the bench after their treatment, but it remains to be seen whether they will be involved in the second leg at Roots Hall on Thursday.
Before his early exit, Timlin had arguably the best chance of a physical first half but he sent his shot wide from 10 yards out for Southend, who missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season.
| Third time lucky for Southend? |
|---|
| The Shrimpers have been involved in the League Two play-offs in three of the last four seasons. |
The hosts, who named 56-year-old Dave Beasant as their substitute goalkeeper, are hoping for a quick return to League One after relegation last season.
Stevenage manager Graham Westley brought back several of the players he rested for the final league game of the season at Luton, and they struggled to stretch Daniel Bentley before the break, as Chris Beardsley shot straight at the Southend goalkeeper.
Southend defender Adam Barrett, making his 300th appearance for the club, then headed over before winger David Worrall was denied brilliantly by the feet of Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day.
The game really came to life in the second half when Parrett collected Charlie Lee's pass and found the back of the net with a stunning curling effort.
The visitors levelled soon afterwards, their top scorer Corr with a downward header from a Stephen McLaughlin cross that deflected in off the unfortunate Andy Bond.
Southend almost took a first-leg lead back to Essex but Worrall's excellent low volley went just wide of the far post in the closing minutes.
Stevenage boss Graham Westley told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I thought it was a pretty fair reflection of the game if I'm honest. Both sides had chances, both took one each.
"The opportunity is there for one of the teams to win a game of football to go to a Wembley final.
"It's a great opportunity for us, we have to get ourselves right."
Southend manager Phil Brown: "If you look at the cut on Michael Timlin's forehead, and he wanted to play on, can you believe it?
"It was pure commitment from both teams. I think we just edged it in terms of chances and possession, but at the same time it's a draw and hopefully we can do the job on Thursday."
Line-ups
Stevenage
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 16Day
- 7WhelpdaleBooked at 80mins
- 19Wells
- 3DembeleSubstituted forAshtonat 45'minutes
- 23Okimo
- 6Bond
- 18Parrett
- 11PettSubstituted forConlonat 78'minutes
- 22LeeBooked at 48mins
- 34DeaconBooked at 45minsSubstituted forKennedyat 45'minutes
- 20Beardsley
Substitutes
- 5Ashton
- 8Walton
- 10Zola
- 32Conlon
- 33Kennedy
- 39Beasant
- 50Martin
Southend
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Bentley
- 2White
- 15BolgerBooked at 40mins
- 26Barrett
- 3Coker
- 18Leonard
- 8TimlinSubstituted forDeeganat 35'minutesBooked at 85mins
- 12Atkinson
- 25McLaughlinSubstituted forWestonat 78'minutes
- 10CorrBooked at 24minsSubstituted forPigottat 82'minutes
- 7WorrallBooked at 63mins
Substitutes
- 6Prosser
- 11Weston
- 13Smith
- 19Payne
- 22Deegan
- 24Cassidy
- 32Pigott
- Referee:
- Keith Stroud
- Attendance:
- 5,183
Match Stats
Home TeamStevenageAway TeamSouthend
- Possession
- Home42%
- Away58%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away5
- Corners
- Home6
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away20
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Stevenage 1, Southend United 1.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Tom Conlon (Stevenage) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Chris Beardsley with a headed pass.
Post update
Foul by Myles Weston (Southend United).
Post update
Jerome Okimo (Stevenage) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Charlie Lee (Stevenage) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jerome Okimo.
Post update
Attempt saved. Myles Weston (Southend United) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Will Atkinson.
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Myles Weston.
Post update
Foul by Myles Weston (Southend United).
Post update
Ben Kennedy (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. David Worrall (Southend United) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Myles Weston with a cross.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Chris Whelpdale (Stevenage) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by John White (Southend United).
Post update
Jerome Okimo (Stevenage) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Offside, Southend United. Ben Coker tries a through ball, but David Worrall is caught offside.
Booking
Gary Deegan (Southend United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Gary Deegan (Southend United).
Post update
Dean Parrett (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Myles Weston (Southend United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Charlie Lee (Stevenage).
