Southend United 0 - 0 Cambridge United - Shrimpers and U's in stalemate

Southend's automatic promotion hopes suffered another blow with a dismal 0-0 draw with Cambridge at Roots Hall.

Neither side looked like scoring during an uneventful encounter which left the Shrimpers five points below third placed Wycombe who also have a game in hand on Phil Brown's side.

Southend rarely threatened but just before half-time, winger David Worrall volleyed John White's right wing cross straight at Cambridge goalkeeper Chris Dunn.

After the break, Cambridge striker Matt Harrold - who was facing his former side - headed straight at Daniel Bentley from 10 yards.

But, with 73 minutes on the clock, the fifth-placed Shrimpers were forced to make their third substitution in worrying circumstances when centre-back Luke Prosser appeared to be knocked out by a well-struck Ryan Donaldson free-kick.

Prosser received a lengthy spell of treatment from the medics before being stretchered off, wearing a neck brace.

However, there was very little to excite the supporters in the closing stages of a very poor-quality game.