Bury 1 Southend 1: GARETH Seddon went from zero to hero as his stoppage time equaliser gave the Shakers a point against the LDV Vans Trophy finalists.

The former RAF physical training instructor saw his first-half penalty saved, but redeemed himself with a 93rd-minute leveller when it looked like being a miserable night for Graham Barrow's men against another side struggling at the wrong end of the Third Division table.

Southend did not look like creating a thing until they were presented with the opening goal on a plate in the 23rd minute.

Danny Swailes hit a first time backpass towards Glyn Garner but the Bury keeper hesitated, allowing lanky striker Leon Constantine to walk the ball in.

But it looked as though luck had turned the Shakers' way after 33 minutes when Duncan Jupp flattened Terry Dunfield in the box and referee Graham Laws awarded a penalty.

With the club's former penalty taker -- Andy Preece -- now plying his trade at the top end of the M6 with Carlisle, Seddon picked up the ball with authority, but his shot was comfortably saved by Darryl Flahavan, diving to his left.

Constantine and Lawrie Dudfield both went close after the break as Southend grew in confidence.

With 15 minutes left, Dunfield almost capped a fine display off with a goal, but his 20-yard piledriver was superbly saved by Flahavan and

former Shaker Jamie Stuart blocked Chris Porter's follow-up effort.

Substitute David Nugent flashed another good effort narrowly wide but it was clear that the Shakers were missing the aerial presence of striker Jon Daly, recalled by Stockport.

In a bid to save the game, Barrow sent Swailes up front for the final minutes and brought on Matt Barrass for the tiring Lee Unsworth, who was feeling the effects of his long hernia lay-off.

And the never-say-die spirit in the team paid a massive dividend three minutes into injury time when a superb right wing cross from Barrass was met by Seddon at the near post, who directed it home for a deserved point.

BURY FORM GUIDE:

Bury: Garner 5, Swailes 6, Challinor 7, Woodthorpe 7, Unsworth 7

(Barrass, 86), Kennedy 6, Dunfield 8, Duxbury 7, Flitcroft 7 (Nugent, 68), Seddon 7, Porter 6. Subs not used: O'Shaughnessy, Connell and Solly.

Referee: Graham Laws (Whitley Bay)

Attendance: 1,670