Boreham Wood secured their 11th league match without defeat by gaining a hard-fought point against a Southend United side who are among the favourites for promotion this season. Matt Rush scored his sixth goal of the season in the second half before Josh Walker got a late equaliser for the Shrimpers.

Luke Garrard made one change from Saturday’s win against Woking, with Femi Ilesanmi returning to the starting line-up in place of Joe Newton, who dropped to the bench.

For the first time this season, Boreham Wood were overrun in the first half as Southend dominated proceedings. The visitors controlled a lot of early possession and had the ball in the Wood net after five minutes. Fortunately for Luke Garrard’s men, Andrew Dallas’ finish was ruled out for offside. Two minutes later, Sam Austin’s shot was tipped over the bar by Finlay Herrick.

On 10 minutes, Herrick made another save, this time from a Ben Goodliffe header. Southend continued to play nicely as the Wood defence held firm. Wood had their first effort on goal on 35 minutes when Jeff King fired a free kick just wide of Collin Andeng-Ndi’s goal. A minute later, Femi Ilesanmi volleyed wide of the Shrimpers’ net. Although on top, the visitors were limited to few chances, helped by some excellent Boreham Wood defending.

HT: Boreham Wood 0-0 Southend United

The Wood were much better after the break. In a mirror image of the first half, where the visitors were dominant without creating a lot, Wood were the same for most of the second half. On 59 minutes, Abdul Abdulmalik went on an excellent run before firing way over the crossbar. Five minutes later, King shot straight at keeper Andeng Ndi. On 69 minutes, Rush gave Boreham Wood the lead following some excellent approach play from King and Erico Sousa, before Rush shot on the turn to give Andeng Ndi no chance in the Southend goal.

Four minutes later, the visitors had a chance to equalise when Harry Boyes screwed his shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. On 81 minutes, Southend got their equaliser when Andrew Dallas’s header was saved by Herrick, before Josh Walker bundled the ball home. Boreham Wood looked the more likely to grab a winner, but the Shrimpers’ defence was well marshalled by former Wood defender Ben Goodliffe, who nullified the threat from the likes of Sousa and Rush in the final minutes. During this period, Lewis Richardson went close but was just off target with his shot.

FT: Boreham Wood 1-1 Southend United

Southend were one of the biggest challenges Boreham Wood have faced this season, but Luke Garrard’s men did well overall and were close to winning it. Next up is a tricky encounter away at Yeovil Town on Saturday.

Boreham Wood: Herrick, King (Coxe 85), Ilesanmi, Reynolds, Bush, O’Connell, Brunt (Benton 74), White, Clayden (Sousa 62), Abdulmalik (Richardson 85), Rush (Dixon 85).

Subs not used: Henry, Newton.

Southend United: Andeng-Ndi, Scott-Morriss (Coker 79), Ralph, Goodliffe, Dallas, Austin, Hopper (Walker 70), Taylor, Appiah-Forson (Miley 86), Morton (Parillon 86), Boyes.

Subs not used: Hayes, Gubbins.

Man of the Match: Chris Bush.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.