THERE was a familiar feeling of frustration for everyone associated with Southend United following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Exeter City.

Blues were again able to work their way in to a winning position at Roots Hall.

But an inability to build on a narrow lead ultimately meant Phil Brown’s side had to settle for a share of the spoils in a game of two conflicting and contrasting halves.

The Shrimpers were in fine form in the first half and produced some fantastic football, played on the front foot and with a high tempo.

However, after the break, Southend almost seemed to sit back in a bid to protect their lead, rather than continuing to attack in pursuit of a second goal.

It was a similar story against Shrewsbury Town at the end of September, when Blues were able to hang on and against Oxford United when they were not.

Whether or not it is an intentional tactic is open to debate and manager Phil Brown stressed it certainly was not at the end of Saturday’s game.

Exeter certainly deserve praise for how they worked their way back in to the game and the manner in which they did it too, playing some fluid football in all areas of the pitch.

That ultimately led to Graham Cummins bagging a well taken goal for the Grecians which extended the Shrimpers’ winless run to three games.

One point has been taken out of a possible nine and just one goal has been scored in that time too.

As a result, Blues have now bagged just 13 goals in their 13 league games this season.

Their meagre total is the lowest in the top half of the League Two table and is the sixth worst record in the entire division.

It is therefore easy to spot where improvements need to be made in order to maintain a sustained push for promotion.

Subsequently, continuous calls have been made for striking reinforcements to be signed and, in truth, they may still be needed.

But the right kind of attacking formula still needs to be found in order to get the best out of whoever may be leading the line.

The central strikers in the Shrimpers side are currently having very few chances in front of goal.

Barry Corr and Myles Weston have had limited opportunities in recent weeks, while Lee Barnard had just one, he should have put away, against Exeter at the weekend.

It is often the case that the wider players are having more of the opportunities.

Shaq Coulthirst wasted a few opportunities in the previous home game against Morecambe and it was David Worrall who worked his way on to the score-sheet at the weekend.

Worrall’s display was a big positive for Blues as he continually caught the eye on the right flank.

Michael Timlin’s return from a dislocated elbow was another plus point given his influence on the team while Barnard, despite a glaring miss, also impressed in attack.

He now deserves to keep his place in the side as Blues bid to get back to their best and also back to winning ways.

Their squad remains strong and that was shown by how boss Phil Brown was able to make six changes to his starting line-up on Saturday.

The Shrimpers are also eighth in the table, just four points from the automatic promotion places so there is still plenty to be positive about.

But for this season to be one to remember, the attacking play needs to be improved.

And the intent also needs to be there for the full 90 minutes, not just until any kind of lead has been established.