Southend United’s unbeaten run in the 2025/26 campaign remained intact on Tuesday evening as they were held to a 0-0 draw by York City in front of more than 8,700 supporters at Roots Hall.
The Blues, coming off back-to-back wins, faced a stern test against last season’s play-off finalists. Both sides struck the woodwork during an evenly-matched contest but neither could find the decisive breakthrough.
A lively first half
Southend manager Kevin Maher made three changes to the side that beat Tamworth at the weekend, handing Andrew Dallas his first start since joining on loan from Barnsley.
The Shrimpers began brightly. Within five minutes, Gus Scott-Morriss powered past Tyrese Sinclair and set up Charley Kendall, whose inventive backheel forced a save from Harrison Male. Scott-Morriss himself then went close, narrowly missing the target after neat interplay down the left.
York’s response came midway through the half. After Hiram Boateng was fouled on the edge of the area, Ollie Banks crashed the resulting free kick against the post. The Minstermen threatened again shortly after, Joe Felix’s deflected strike looping just over before Mark Kitching nodded wide from the ensuing corner.
Despite chances at both ends, neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval.
Half-Time: Southend United 0–0 York City
Opportunities after the restart
The Shrimpers looked sharp again after the break and twice went close through Kendall. First, he latched onto Ben Goodliffe’s clearance in a two-on-two situation, forcing Male into a low save. Moments later, Joe Gubbins delivered a cross into the box, but Kendall’s volley lacked the power to trouble the keeper.
As the game edged towards its conclusion, opportunities remained scarce. Substitute Oli Coker saw a long-range strike fly wide with just over ten minutes remaining.
The closest Southend came to a winner arrived three minutes from time when Sam Austin met Scott-Morriss’ cross, only to see his header cannon off the crossbar.
Resilient at the back
Neither side managed to force a breakthrough, meaning Southend collected their third consecutive clean sheet of the campaign.
The point lifts Blues into fourth place in the National League table, while York take encouragement from a strong defensive display away from home.
Southend now prepare for a historic first-ever meeting with Truro City in Cornwall this coming Saturday as they look to extend their unbeaten run.
Match Facts
Final Score: Southend United 0–0 York City
Attendance: 8,735 (324 away fans)
Referee: Jacob Miles
Southend United XI: Andeng Ndi, Taylor, Goodliffe, Gubbins, Scott-Morriss, Appiah-Forson (Coker 69’), Miley, Husin (Austin 69’), Boyes, Dallas (Hopper 62’), Kendall (Walker 85’).
Unused Subs: Hayes, Bridge, Parillon.
York City XI: Male, Felix, Fagan-Walcott, Howe, Kitching, Boateng, Hunt (Brooks 93’), Grey (Stones 71’), Banks, Sinclair (Newby 54’), Pearce.
Unused Subs: Fallowfield, Palmer, Nathaniel-George, Sykes-Kenworthy.
Yellow Cards:
- Southend: Husin (53’), Taylor (69’)
- York: Sinclair (14’), Fagan-Walcott (23’), Howe (45+1’)