Powelly's penalty point

United came back from 2-0 down to earn a draw at Southend this afternoon. Tesfaye Bramble opened the scoring with a 29th minute penalty, and Leon Cort doubled the home side's lead just two minutes before half time. Andy Scott had time to reduce the deficit before the end of the first half and Paul Powell ensured the fight-back was complete when he converted a penalty after 71 minutes.

Captain Andy Crosby returned to the starting line-up in place of Scott Guyett in the only change from the team which began the game against Macclesfield. Lee Maddison played despite his baby's impending birth. Ian Atkins made only one substitution, bringing on Robert Quinn for Dave Savage eleven minutes from time.

Referee Phil Joslin, who took charge of United's win at Halifax, didn't book any United players, although did take out his ire on Phil Whelan, and why not. The attendance was 3,701 and a match report is now available.

United remain in 17th place following this draw, but Southend drop to 14th. Top of the table Plymouth were held to a 1-1 draw at Macclesfield, but second placed Luton won 1-0 at Torquay. Mansfield maintained their promotion challenge with a 2-1 win over Scunthorpe. In the bottom of the table clash Leyton Orient virtually condemned Halifax to relegation by beating them 3-1 at Brisbane Road, to leave the Shaymen ten points adrift and a healthy sixteen points below Oxford. United's opponents on Tuesday, Kidderminster, beat Hartlepool 3-2.

Darren Purse scored an own goal at Deepdale to give Preston all the points against Birmingham. Marco Gabbiadini scored Northampton's consolation in their 2-1 home defeat to Cardiff.