Goalmouth action at Roots Hall

Southend and Wigan had a hard fought goalless draw in blustery conditions at Roots Hall.

Ryan Leonard went closest for Southend when he hit the crossbar in the sixth minute but Latics centre back Leon Barnett went close on three occasions. One was cleared off the line, another well saved by Dan Bentley and in added time he nearly stole the points when his effort crashed against the crossbar.

Latics remain in fifth place in the table and the Shrimpers in eighth.

Gary Caldwell made five changes to the starting line up with Yanic Wildschut and Craig Morgan injured and David Perkins, Michael Jacobs and Tim Chow dropped to the bench. Into the team came Will Grigg, Francisco Junior, Leon Barnett, Don Cowie and Jason Pearce.

Southend nearly rocked Latics early on when Ryan Leonard beat Jussi Jaaskelainen from 20 yards but the ball crashed against the crossbar and away to safety.

Latics best chance came in the 37th minute, when Barnett’s shot direct from a Max Power corner was cleared off the line by Will Atkinson.

Chris McCann had to leave the pitch on 40 minutes with a groin strain and was replaced by David Perkins.

The freakiest mascots in the Football League?

Early in the second half Latics might have gone ahead when Power’s corner was met by Barnett who forced a good save from Dan Bentley with a volley. Reece James then saw a powerful effort from 20 yards saved by Bentley.

Southend responded with a good spell of pressure, Mooney’s header causing problems for Jaaskelainen and Daniels had to be on hand to cut out Payne’s cross before John Whiter’s shot flew a yard wide.

Michael Jacobs replaced Grigg after 65 minutes and Craig Davies replaced Junior in the 75th minute as Latics looked to secure the three points.

Wigan had a great shout for a penalty when Davies turned his man and was hauled down in the penalty box but the referee Keith Stroud waived away their appeals.

As the match moved into added time Leon Barnett evaded his marker from a corner and his close range effort crashed against the crossbar and away to safety.

Ultimately it was probably a fair result as Latics lacked the cutting edge to finish off their combative opponents.