Tranmere played out an uneventful draw against fellow League One strugglers Southend at Roots Hall - a result does neither side any favours.

The two teams, who remain in the relegation zone, rarely threatened during a drab encounter which lacked both quality and excitement.

Rovers went close early on with Neil Danns having a long-range effort pushed wide of the left-hand post by Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley before Kieron Morris fired an effort wide of the opposite upright.

Oxley then rushed off his line to deny Morris when he was clean through on goal before Southend replied with Sam Mantom flashing a free-kick wide of the far post.

After the break, Danns fired wide from long range and Southend hit back as Tom Hopper headed Mantom's left-wing corner over the crossbar.

Micky Mellon's side have now gone four games without a league win and are two points adrift of 20th-placed AFC Wimbledon.

Tranmere: Chapman, Woods, Clarke, Monthe, Caprice, Danns (Blackett-Taylor 78), Perkins, Woodyard, Morris, Jennings (Mullin 39), Ferrier

Subs not used: Ridehalgh, Gilmour, Pilling, Banks, Payne

Attendence: 5,988