League Two Playoffs
Southend
May 17, 2014 12.00pm
2
2
HT : 2 1
FT
Burton Albion
  • Ryan Leonard 32' goal
  • Anthony Straker 39' goal
  • Michael Timlin 62' yellowcard
  • John Egan 86' yellowcard
  • goal Marcus Holness 21'
  • yellowcard Chris Hussey 39'
  • yellowcard Robbie Weir 45'
  • goal Adam McGurk 69'
  • yellowcard Phil Edwards 79'
  • yellowcard Billy Kee 90'

Live Commentary: Southend United 2-2 (2-3) Burton Albion - as it happened

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Southend 2-2 (2-3) Burton - as it happened
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Southend United played host to Burton Albion in the second leg of the League Two playoffs semi-final this afternoon.

Winning 1-0 from the opening match, visiting Burton took the lead when Marcus Holness headed in with 21 minutes played.

However, before the break, hosting Southend were level on aggregate thanks to goals from Ryan Leonard and Anthony Straker.

Both teams had chances to score a winner after the restart and it was eventually fired in by Burton's Adam McGurk, who sent his side to Wembley in the process.

You can find out how the match unfolded in full with Sports Mole's text updates below.

1.59pmThat is all we have time for from Roots Hall. Before we go, here is our report of this dramatic contest. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.

1.58pmBurton have done it! Southend chucked everything at them in the closing stages, but they held firm and are off to Wembley, where Fleetwood Town stand between them and a place in League One.

90+6 minFULL TIME: SOUTHEND 2-2 BURTON - BURTON WIN 3-2 ON AGGREGATE

90+5 minSAVE! Southend are trying, they really are! It's a great volley from Payne from the edge of the area, but unfortunately for the hosts, the ball goes straight at Lyness. Either side and it would have been a certain goal.

90+3 minCHANCE! How close was that for Southend? The whole ground thought Leonard's shot was in! Sixteen yards from goal, he does brilliantly to adjust his feet to fashion out the chance. His strike is clean and Lyness is well beaten, but the ball skids inches wide of the upright. So close for the home side.

90 minThere is hope for Southend as the fourth official reveals that there will be at least six minutes of stoppage time. It's met by huge cheers from the home fans - they still believe.

88 minBrown has thrown centre-back Egan forward. It's do or die for Southend now!

86 minBOOKING! The most obvious yellow card you will see today for Southend defender Egan, who had little choice but to bring down MacDonald on the halfway line because the Burton winger was away and heading towards the penalty area.

84 minCHANCE! An absolutely golden chance to seal Burton's route to Wembley is wasted by Hussey. The full-back initially does ever so well to wrestle possession away from Sokolik on the byline. He then tries to square for McGurk, but Bentley dives out to hold the ball. If Hussey had got his head up, Kee was waiting unmarked just 10 yards from goal. Then, moments later, Bentley again denies Hussey with a smart stop.

82 minIs this the man that has sent Burton to Wembley? The next few minutes will tell us:

80 minBOOKING! It's another yellow card for Burton and their second for time wasting. The culprit is Edwards, who took too long to take a throw-in for the referee's liking.

79 minSOUTHEND SUB: Another alteration for Southend and it's young midfielder Jack Payne that is thrown into the action by Brown. He has taken the place of Atkinson, who has been quiet in this second half.

77 minSAVE! Again it's Burton on the attack and again it's Bentley that is called into action. This time he gets his angles right to hold MacDonald's powerful header at the near post. As far as Southend are concerned, the ball is up the wrong end of the pitch.

73 minSOUTHEND SUB: Brown reacts to falling behind by bringing on Southend legend Freddy Eastwood, who has replaced Straker. The striker has scored some vital goals down the years - can he fire in another for The Shrimpers today?

69 minIt's a scruffy goal, but Burton will not care one jot. The Southend defence fail to clear a free kick from the right and when the ball breaks for an unmarked McGurk, he swivels and then fires a low shot beyond the reach of Bentley from 10 yards out. As it stands, Burton lead 3-2 on aggregate and are heading for Wembley. Once again, Southend have it all to do.

69 minGOAL! SOUTHEND 2-2 BURTON (MCGURK)

66 minSOUTHEND SUB: A sensible move from Southend boss Brown, who takes off Timlin following his booking. He knows that his side cannot afford to go down to 10 men. On comes Connor Clifford.

63 minSAVE! The introduction of Kee has really livened up Burton, that's for sure. Moments ago he cut inside from the left, with his deflected shot forcing a diving Bentley to push clear the danger. There is also a second substitution from the visitors, as Gray comes off and is replaced by MacDonald.

62 minBOOKING! The red mist descends over Southend midfielder Timlin, who slides in late on Bell and then reacts badly. A deserved booking.

61 minCredit to Burton, because in the last few minutes they've started to control the match. They are seeing much more of the ball and now carry some attacking intent. What's more, it's gone some way to quietening down the home supporters.

57 minWhile Southend have been good going forward, Coker has been in great form at the back. A misjudgment from Kee presents an opening for McGurk, who appears to have the goal at his mercy. However, as he goes to pull the trigger from 12 yards out, Coker flies in to divert the ball behind for a corner. More fantastic awareness from the Southend full-back.

54 minBURTON SUB: First switch of the afternoon for Burton and it's an attacking one. Billy Kee, who is carrying a slight knock, has replaced Knowles.

52 minAs expected, Southend a hoisting numerous crosses into the area. If this continues, the law of averages suggests that Burton are going to pay the price. They need to find a way of stopping this onslaught from wide areas.

47 minSAVE! Leonard is having some game for Southend. He's just bombed down the left flank, before cutting inside. Perhaps he should have crossed for a teammate, but he goes for goal. It's a routine stop for Lyness, but Southend have started from where they left off, that's for sure.

46 minRESTART! Visiting Burton get us back underway at Roots Hall.

1pmCollymore was equally as excited by Southend's second goal it would seem:

12.57pmAs for Burton, it's fair to say that the whistle came at the right time. They were wobbling when Southend scored the second goal. Rowett is bound to be bitterly disappointed because when they broke the deadlock earlier on, his side showed great composure. Defensively, though, they've been poor - which is not something that can be said of the Burton rearguard many times this season.

12.54pmThe message from Southend manager Brown to his players during the next few minutes will surely be to continue from where they left off. They were the dominant force and have created numerous problems, particularly with crosses into the area. With the power of players like Corr and Straker in the air, it could well be their main route to scoring more goals.

12.51pmThere goes the whistle for the break and what a first half we've had at Roots Hall. Burton looked to be bound for Wembley, but Southend have hit back to level up the tie at two goals apiece.

45+3 minHALF TIME: SOUTHEND 2-1 BURTON

45 minBOOKING! As three minutes of stoppage time are shown on the fourth official's board, Burton midfielder Weir goes into the book for a mistimed challenge on the byline.

44 minCHANCE! Huge opportunity for Burton to put themselves back in command of the tie as Gray slots a pass through for McFadzean. The winger's touch is poor, though, and despite the fact that he is able to get a volleyed effort away, it's a much more difficult technique and the ball flies over the bar.

43 minIt's now Southend that are firmly in control of proceedings. From a Burton point of view, it's vitally important that they do not concede again before the break.

39 minMoments after Burton defender Hussey goes into the book for time wasting, Southend punish them further by scoring a second goal. It's a great delivery into the area from Timlin, which causes confusion between the Burton defenders. They remain uncertain as to who should deal with the danger, but Straker reacts quickest to power home a header from close range. As it stands, we are heading for extra-time.

39 minGOAL! SOUTHEND 2-1 BURTON (STRAKER)

38 minThe home supporters are not happy because they feel that Burton are taking their time with every throw, corner etc. It's actually something they have been doing since the start of the match and the referee is aware of it.

36 minIt's a goal that was well received by Stan Collymore, who played for Southend during the early 1990s:

32 minBoy did Southend need this! It's some finish from Leonard, who beats Lyness with an acrobatic effort. First of all Burton fail to clear a corner and when the ball drops to the Southend midfielder inside the area, he takes one touch, before sending an overhead kick beyond the reach of the visiting goalkeeper. Roots Hall explodes and the hosts are now back in this tie - they trail 2-1 overall.

32 minGOAL! SOUTHEND 1-1 BURTON (LEONARD)

27 minCHANCE! It's just not happening for Corr right now. He's being marked by two Burton defenders at the back post, but still manages to win the header. His effort is lacking in direction, though, as it flies over the crossbar.

23 minSAVE! The perfect chance for Southend to reply instantly goes begging and it's Corr again. He was having his shirt pulled as he inherited possession inside the area, but his shot was weak and easily collected by Lyness. The striker should have done much better with that opening.

21 minThey lost at the semi-final stage last season to Bradford City, but Marcus Holness could well have sent Burton to Wembley with this goal. It's a great delivery from the right from Chris Hussey for his teammate, who shakes off the Southend defenders to head in from close range. That's the defender's first goal of the season and what a time to get it!

21 minGOAL! SOUTHEND 0-1 BURTON (HOLNESS)

20 minOnly some great defending from Southend defender Coker stops Burton from having a clear chance at goal. It's a swift counter-attack from the away side, but as McGurk squares the ball, Coker slides in at the final moment to end the danger.

17 minSAVES! First chance for Southend and Corr will feel that he should have worked Lyness more. The centre-forward rises highest to meet Atkinson's cross from the right flank, but his downward header is lacking in power and is easily saved. Then, moments later, Corr's shot from distance causes more problems to the Burton keeper, who tips the ball over the crossbar.

13 minWe've just had a stoppage in play because Gray and Leonard had a nasty clash of heads. Thankfully they are both up following treatment and have returned to the action.

11 minSAVE! It's Southend goalkeeper Bentley that is called into action first. Initially he does well to get down to Cansdell-Sherriff's low effort, before he dives early to hold McGurk's curling free kick from 25 yards out. Burton may be leading the tie, but they seem intent on scoring another goal.

8 minThere hasn't been a goalscoring opportunity of note carved out by either side just yet, but that shouldn't deter from the fact that it has been an entertaining start to this game. Both teams have shown a lot of adventure and the pace is a fast one. Whether they will be able to keep it up, only time will tell.

4 minWe've just seen the long throw of Southend's Leonard for the first time, but, if anything, the midfielder got too much power on the ball and it was easily cleared at the back post. Nevertheless, it's been a positive start by the home side.

1 minKICKOFF! Hosting Southend, who trail 1-0 from the first leg remember, get this clash off and running. Huge 90 minutes ahead for both clubs.

11.56amHere come the players then. Handshakes to be completed then we will be underway at Roots Hall.

11.52amPREDICTION: Right, who is going to win this? If truth be told, there is very little to split these two sides - it could well go the distance. In fact, that's what I'm going for. Southend to win 1-0 and then come out on top during the penalty shootout.

11.48amIt must be said, there's a very good atmosphere building in the Southend sunshine. One would imagine that it is a sellout at Roots Hall. Not long now until the players are out on the pitch.

11.44amPREVIOUS MEETINGS: So, what do the past meetings between these clubs tell us? Of the four fixtures at Roots Hall, Southend have won just one of them. That was achieved earlier this month courtesy of a 1-0 victory, which would only be enough to force a penalty shootout. Overall, visiting Burton lead by five victories to three, with one draw.

11.44amPREVIOUS MEETINGS: What do past clashes between these two clubs tells us then? Well, of the four previous meetings at Roots Hall, Southend have won just one of them. That was actually achieved earlier this month courtesy of a 1-0 victory, which would only be enough to force a penalty shootout. Overall, these teams have met nine times, with Burton leading 5-3.

11.37amTurning attentions back to the prospect of penalties for a moment, Southend, according to their manager Brown, had been perfecting their skills from 12 yards for some time. He told the Southend Echo: "We've been practising penalties for about three months now to make sure we're as prepared as we can be. "Everyone has been having a go at taking them to make sure they're as confident as they can be. Penalty shootouts are a real lottery however you approach them but it's best to be as prepared as you can be for them and that's certainly what we will be if that does end up happening."

11.33amStaying with Burton, here are manager Rowett's thoughts on the match: "The advantage we have isn't really too much of an advantage. I think both teams will be quite happy after the first leg, if I'm honest. Southend are not going to be too disappointed at being a goal down. "Yes, it's going to give us an advantage, it gives us a bit more clarity of what we've got to do but, also, they know they've got to score goals to beat us and win the tie. So, I don't think it changes too much and it certainly won't detract from our focus of what we've got to do. "It's more about being positive in your outlook. Going into the first game we knew our home form had been very good over the past couple of years. Going into the second game we know that if we don't concede a goal we're not going to lose, so it's as simple as that."

11.30amAnd here are the Burton players going through their pre-match routines:

11.26amPenalties, it would seem, is something that Burton goalkeeper Dean Lyness is prepared for. Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, he said: "We've had a little practice but I think it's hard to capture the pressure there will be on the day. "We do try to do a bit of research, but on the day, it only takes one person to change their mind and go the other way. You've just got to trust your instincts as a goalkeeper."

11.23amRight then, what's the situation today? With a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, visiting Burton know that it will be them heading to Wembley if they avoid defeat. On the other hand, if Southend win by a two-goal margin or greater, the Essex boys will be off to England's largest stadium. With away goals irrelevant in the playoffs, if Southend win by just one goal, extra-time and penalties may well be needed.

11.20amFollowing his red card during the first leg, defender Ian Sharps is suspended. However, Phil Edwards will deputise, while centre-back Shane Cansdell-Sherriff is fit enough to start. There is also more positive injury news for Burton boss Gary Rowett because Adam McGurk, who scored the only goal of the game against Southend, has been passed fit, although Zeli Ismail is ruled out.

11.17amBURTON SUBS: Lainton, Alexander, Palmer, Diamond, MacDonald, Symes, Kee

11.16amBURTON XI: Lyness; Edwards, Cansdell-Sherriff, Holness, Hussey; Gray, Bell, Weir, McFadzean; Knowles, McGurk

11.15amAnd now for visiting Burton...

11.13am

11.11amJust the one change from Southend boss Phil Brown, who has brought in Anthony Straker in an attacking role at the expense of Jacob Murphy. Aside from that, Michael Timlin has shaken off an ankle complaint to start in midfield, while John White has overcome a slight knock to continue in defence.

11.08amSOUTHEND SUBS: Smith, Prosser, Eastwood, Murphy, Clifford, Payne, Barnard

11.07amSOUTHEND XI: Bentley; White, Sokolik, Egan, Coker; Leonard, Atkinson, Timlin; Hurst, Corr, Straker

11.05amBefore we focus a little more deeply on this clash and what it means to both clubs, the team news from Roots Hall has just been released. Let's begin with a look at how the hosts will start...

11.02amMorning all. So, the FA Cup final might be taking place later, but as far as Southend United and Burton Albion fans are concerned, there is no bigger game today than this one. Come the final whistle, one of these League Two clubs will be off to Wembley, with a place in League One firmly in their sights.
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