SOUTHEND will be facing Doncaster in the League One play-off semi-finals following a 1-1 draw with relegated Port Vale.

The game was a predictable end of season encounter with little to get the fans excited.

Southend created the better chances early on but found themselves a goal down after 24 minutes.

Peter Clarke fouled Kyle Perry and from the resulting 20-yard free kick David Mulligan curled the ball over Southend's four-man wall and into the top left-hand corner of Darryl Flahavan's goal.

The hosts continued to fashion the better chances, although Marc Richards created a couple of chances to extend Port Vale's lead.

And Vale, playing in Southend's red away kit as they had only brought their black away strip which clashed with their hosts' navy blue home strip, looked set to end the season with a welcome win, but James Walker equalised in fortunate circumstances.

Simon Francis's long shot from the right bounced off a diving Joe Anyon, hit Walker and rebounded into the empty net five minutes from time.

The first leg of the semi-finals is at Roots Hall at 7.45pm on Friday, with the second leg taking place seven days later.