SOUTHEND United were unable to turn their pressure into more than a point at Aldershot Town tonight.
The Shrimpers were on top for the most of the evening but could not convert the chances coming their way as the game ended goalless.
Aldershot’s best opportunity came at the start of the evening when Nathan Ralph’s underhit backpass was latched onto by Kai Corbett but his cross was superbly cut out by Adam Crowther.
Blues soon hit back with Oli Coker sending a well struck 30 yard inches wide of the right post before Josh Walker opted against giving the ball to the onrushing midfielder before seeing a 20 yard shot blocked by Rollin Menayese.
Moments later, Walker’s header from Coker’s cross was easily held by Aldershot goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst and, with the Shrimpers still looking to go in front, Noor Husin sent a left footed shot wide of the right post from long range.
With 25 minutes on the clock, Gus Scott-Morriss – who was back in the team after serving a one match suspension – headed over a swerving free-kick from James Morton before an off balance Crowther headed James Morton’s left wing corner off target.
After the break, the Shrimpers came to going in front when Joe Gubbins’ left wing cross picked out Scott-Morriss only for the wing-back to see his downward header impressively saved low down to his right hand side by Dewhurst.
In a bid to get into the game, Aldershot made a trio of changes just before the hour mark with Josh Barrett, Hady Ghandour and James Henry all entering the action before Blues soon made an alteration of their own with Jack Bridge taking the place of Coker in midfield.
After the changes the Shrimpers threatened next with Walker misplacing a pass to Bridge when well placed before Bridge saw a low 20 yard shot smothered by Dewhurst.
Walker then headed an inviting right wing cross from Scott-Morriss wide of the target at the near post before Blues boss Kevin Maher made a double change in the 74th minute with Macauley Bonne replacing Walker and Keenan Appiah-Forson coming on for Pepple.
Immediately after the changes, an inviting left wing cross from Nathan Ralph flew across the face of goal and, just moments later, Bonne’s downward header from James Morton’s right wing corner was collected by Dewhurst.
The Aldershot shot-stopper then easily held a back post header from Scott-Morriss before Husin and Scott-Morriss both saw shots blocked in front of goal.
Joe Gubbins then saw a header deflected wide of the right post as the Shrimpers had to settle for a point in a game they dominated for large spells.
