Southend’s National League play-off hopes hit by goalless draw with Braintree

Southend did their National League play-off hopes no favours with a goalless draw in the Essex derby at home to Braintree.

Visiting keeper Henry Gray made sharp saves from Macaulay Bonne and Leon Parillon, who then almost combined for an opener in the 28th minute with Bonne just unable to reach his team-mate’s cross.

Braintree’s best opportunity of the first half came when John Akinde’s header was cleared off the line, while Tom Blackwell was unable to turn Kyrell Lisbie’s mishit shot into the net.

Southend started the second period on the front foot, with Gus Scott-Morriss denied by Gray before Parillon hit a post. At the other end, Nathan Ralph cleared off the line as Blackwell and Lisbie went close in a goalmouth scramble.

Scott-Morriss fired over from a good position in front of goal, as did Braintree substitute Chay Cooper, before Southend had a penalty appeal turned down deep in stoppage time.