Southend were condemned to relegation after extending their horror run with a 2-2 draw at Oldham.

Boundary Park fight-back not enough as Southend are relegated

Southend were condemned to relegation after extending their horror run with a 2-2 draw at Oldham. The Essex side have managed just one win in 20 games and are returning to the basement division for the first time since 2005. The result guaranteed Oldham's survival but Southend made the better chances despite being rocked by a goal after just 71 seconds. Pawel Abbott set up Latics midfielder Danny Whitaker, whose shot flew into the top corner from the edge of the box. Southend grabbed an equaliser four minutes later after the home team failed to clear their lines and Francis Laurent struck with a close-range header. But Oldham's lead was restored in the 43rd minute when left-back Paul Black sprinted into the box and drilled his first senior goal inside the far post. Injuries left the visitors down to 10 men for the final 20 minutes yet they showed courage in their desperate fight against the drop and Jean Mvoto headed them level in the 75th minute.