BURY recorded their third straight draw against a side in the promotion hunt following a low-key stalemate at Roots Hall.

The two sides managed just one shot each on target, with neither keeper extended throughout the 90 minutes.

But after going into the game without key players Daniel Nardiello, Tommy Miller and Craig Jones due to injury it should probably be regarded as a point well-earned.

Manager David Flitcroft may not see it that way, however, after hauling off keeper Brian Jensen at half time, the fall guy for a 45 minutes littered with mistakes and poor passes.

Rookie teenage keeper Reece Charles-Cook almost handed the home side an opener with a mis-kicked clearance, but Freddie Eastwood’s resulting shot was sliced wide.

Southend substitute Barry Corr handed Bury an advantage with an off-the-ball challenge on Frederic Veseli in the 83-rd minute that resulted in a straight red card.

But the Shakers could not make the late advantage count and settled for a point that sees them move up to 17th place in the League Two table.