LEE Barnard salvaged a point for Southend as the Shrimpers extended their unbeaten run to 12 games and virtually cemented a place in the League One play-off places.

The striker slotted home a loose ball in the 51st minute to cancel out Colin Larkin's 25th minute opener for Northampton.

Town opened the scoring when Ryan Gilligan's corner from the right was met by an unmarked Larkin at the near post and he headed the ball into the bottom left had side of the goal.

Six minutes into the second half, Southend got on terms. Charlie Mulgrew saw his 30-yard free kick from the right channel turned onto the bar by goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

The ball bounced off the bar and into the path of Barnard, who slotted home for his eighth goal in 10 starts for Blues.

Bunn then pulled off an acrobatic one-handed save to deny Southend skipper Adam Barrett a close-range header and then Daniel Jones cleared a Tommy Black shot off the line.