SOUTHEND United were unable to get revenge on Burton Albion tonight as the two teams played out an uneventful 0-0 draw at Roots Hall this evening.

Phil Brown’s side were beaten by the Brewers in the League Two play-offs semi-final last season.

But they were unable to get back their own back as Blues struggled to break down the visitors’ well organised defence.

Neither team registered a single shot on target in the first half and the closest Southend came to scoring was after just two minutes when the recalled Kevan Hurst cut in off the left flank and unleashed a low curling shot which goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin appeared to tip wide of the right post, despite referee Charles Breakspear awarding a goal-kick.

After that, there was little to excite the supporters until the start of the second half when a low, 25 yard free-kick from Ben Coker was tipped wide of the right post by McLaughlin.

At the other end of the field, Burton then also registered their first shot of the night on target when a poor clearance from Cian Bolger allowed Stuart Beavon the space to fire straight at Blues’ goalkeeper Daniel Bentley from 20 yards.

Having survived the scare, the Shrimpers hit back with Jack Payne unleashing a swerving 20 yard shot which McLaughlin could only parry to safety.

Moments later, McLaughlin comfortably gathered an instinctive close range header from Barry Corr but, with the game now starting to open up, Burton hit back with Beavon having a low shot, from a well worked short corner, smartly smothered by Bentley.

His opposite number, McLaughlin was then also forced in to action when he tipped over another Corr header from Hurst’s right wing free-kick.

Corr was soon replaced in attack by Myles Weston but the Shrimpers were still unable to make a breakthrough as both side had to settle for a point.