First the good news: Oxford United kept their third successive clean sheet, ensured their place in the draw for the third round of the FA Cup, and matched opponents Southend United, eighth in Division Three. The bad news is that today's goalless draw means another game for the Us, on Tuesday 11 December, in a competition that could distract United from the more important business of going for promotion.[@news]2226[/@news][@opponent]southend united[/@opponent] Southend started the brighter, and Billy Turley had to push away an early shot after a slip by Alex Jeannin in the wet conditions. However, that was the only real sight that the visitors had of Oxford's goal in the first half, and United went closer to scoring midway through the half. A Southend defender clearly handled the ball 25 yards out, and Jeannin's curling free kick was saved at the foot of his right-hand post by Steven Collis. However, the ball squirmed free and Ashley Barnes pounced first, but could only put the ball into the side netting.

The second half opened in controversial fashion as Dean Morgan fell over Barry Quinn's leg in the penalty area. United players were furious with Morgan's dive, and even more furious that the player wasn't even spoken to, never mind booked. Turley was called upon to save low to his right from former Gravesend & Northfleet player Charlie MacDonald with ten minutes remaining, but that was the only chance that Southend mustered in the second period. At the other end Collis had little to do, but more as a result of United's inadequate finishing than the solidity of the defence in front of him. So United now face the prospect of a visit to Roots Hall in one and a half weeks, but they will go there confident that their opponents aren't particularly better than them. A draw was a fair result, and the Southend supporters, in good voice for the first 20 minutes, were silent for most of the rest of the game, and booed their team off at the end.

United boss Darren Patterson handed three players home debuts, starting with a striking duet of loanees. Cardiff player Matt Green played alongside Plymouth attacker Barnes, who was in the side in place of Yemi Odubade. Gary Twigg marked his return from injury by playing on the left of midfield, where he used to play for Airdrie, replacing the suspended Carl Pettefer. At the back, youngster James Clarke, who had such an impressive debut at Kidderminster Harriers last weekend, kept his place, and had another fine performance. Jeannin had one of his best games for a while, but Patterson will probably be looking for some of his colleagues to improve their distribution and tracking back in future matches. Fifteen minutes into the second half Yemi came on for Twigg, who had struggled to get into the game, as United changed to 4-3-3. With 13 minutes remaining, former Southend player Joel Ledgister replaced the tiring Green, but he had precious few chances to test his former teammates.

United had the rare pleasure today of being officiated by a referee from the Football League list, and while