A point is what we deserved and nothing more.
It wasn't the most entertaining of games with rare goal mouth action and just two shots on target for Argyle and one of them was a penalty. Both sides were awarded a penalty in the first half and the action was more dramatic off the pitch with managers Derek Adams and Chris Powell coming together on the touchline, Adams was definitely pushed.
After having a word with the fourth official the ref issued a red card each to Adams and Powell and sent them to the stands. But what stand because the grandstand is out of bounds?
Powell appeared in the second half in the directors box of the empty grandstand and it looked like Adams was in the old executive boxes.
We lost the midfield battle until Songo'o was introduced in the second half, Ness, Grant and sadly Fox were second best to 50/50 challenges, missed out on the second balls and were dominated by the Southend midfielders.
Tafari Moore replaced Riley at right-back, otherwise it was the same team that started against Walsall.
The tone was set in the first 10 minutes of the game when Southend camped in our half, we just couldn't get out. We survived several corners and a "goal" which was thankfully ruled out for offside. Macey also made two excellent low saves - we were on the rack!
Amazingly upon amazingly we took the lead in the 20th minute against the run of play. A cross found Conor Grant who headed towards goal, Oxley pulled off a good save and the ball fell to Moore, he was bundled over but the ref ignored cries for a penalty, however in the corner of the pitch on his own was a man frantically waving a brightly coloured flag. The ref trundled over to have a word with him and instantly gave a penalty to Argyle. Well done linesman!
There was a long delay while the Southend players verbally assaulted the lino, once they finished Carey stepped up and fired high into the net. 1-0, not deserved but we'll take it.
The confidence in the team visibly rose and it was Southend's turn to defend.
Following a corner it was our turn to concede a penalty with Taylor adjudged to have fouled in the area, although it looked a harsh decision. For the second game in succession Macey faced a penalty but couldn't save this one. 1-1.
Taylor then received a yellow card for what looked like using a dangerous elbow but the action took place by the dugouts with both mangers literally seeing red and sent to the non-existent stand.
Onto the second half and new manager Paul Wotton gave Ruben Lameiras 10 minutes before hauling him off and bringing on Gary Sawyer, while Ashley Smith-Brown (who was having a good game at left back) was pushed forward to left wing.
The change didn't change anything, Southend still dominated the midfield, so another change was soon made with Yann Songo'o replacing Fox. Songo'o gave us more strength and we enjoyed some pressure without actually creating a goal scoring chance.
Wotton only waited 6 minutes before making another change, Freddie Ladapo swapped with the unfortunate Smith-Brown and went with a 4-3-3 formation.
Ladapo caused some problems and created a half chance that hit the side netting but again we didn't carve out a real goalscoring chance.
Southend always looked more likely to score a winner but thankfully we survived.
It was a very average performance, although credit to Southend who closed us down and harried, our midfield just couldn't cope and when that happens Fox becomes a passenger. He's at his best sitting in front of the back four and dictating play.
Edwards had a poor game, after the euphoria of last week it was back down to earth for this game, he was slow and cumbersome and was caught on the ball several times. Alongside him Wootton had a better game while both full backs did well, especially Moore who was always willing to push forward.
We suffered by playing too many long balls to Taylor who did his best but if Carey and Lameiras are off form our gameplan goes out the window. Lameiras was another passenger while Carey is a pale shadow of the player we know and love.
Macey had another good game, his two low saves were excellent, Songo'o and Ladapo made a difference when they took to the field and should be pushing for a starting place.
Unlike the Walsall game Fox handed over the captains armband to Sawyer as soon as he came on to the pitch.
Much like the Walsall game it was a disappointing performance that had sometimes had good play but largely it was disjointed.
I thought the white lines on the pitch were very faint so maybe the heavy rain washed the top layer away.
Under the Lyndhurst in the concourse the breeze block walls built in 2002 were painted white with black trim and looked very nice while extra information screens were dotted around.
Entertainment value 5/10.
Man of the match - Macey.
Macey 7, Moore 7, Edwards 5, Wootton 6, Smith-Brown 7, Fox 4, Ness 5, C Grant 5, Carey 6, Lameiras 4, Taylor 6. Subs Songo'o 7, Ladapo 7, Sawyer 5.
