SOUTHEND United started 2023 with an uneventful 0-0 draw at Bromley.

Blues went into their first outing of the new year looking to avenge their Boxing Day defeat to Bromley at Roots Hall.

But a game short of goalscoring opportunities ended all square.

The Shrimpers’ best chance to score came inside the opening 90 seconds with Jack Bridge charging through down the left hand side of the penalty area only to slice his effort wide of the right post, despite referee Elliott Swallow opting to award a corner kick.

Moments later, a well-struck shot from the recalled Harry Taylor flew inches wide of the right post.

Taylor replaced Wes Fonguck in the centre of the park while Callum Powell took the place of Chris Wreh in attack.

The final change from the Boxing Day defeat saw Jason Demetriou handed his first start since mid-October at right wing-back but it was the hosts who threatened next with Corey Whitely sending a low shot against the foot of the left post.

After the near miss, the match was short of action until right on the stroke of half-time when the Shrimpers screamed for a penalty as Harry Cardwell went to ground when attempting to reach a pass from Powell.

But referee Elliott Swallow opted to wave away Blues’ protests and allowed play to continue.

Blues then threatened again deep into first half stoppage time when a fine right cross from Noor Husin found Kacper Lopata.

However, the Polish defender opted to head back across goal in an attempt to tee up Cardwell whose glancing effort went wide of the right post.

After the break, Shrimpers midfielder Cav Miley fired over from 20 yards after being teed up by Bridge before Bromley replied with Michael Cheek also shooting over.

Chances remained few and far between with Cardwell sending a looping header over the crossbar before Blues made their first change of the afternoon in the 67th minute with Wes Fonguck replacing Husin in the centre of the park.

Following the change, Powell sent a low effort straight at Bromley goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook for the game’s first shot on target.

But, almost immediately, Bromley came close to breaking the deadlock as Harry Forster’s right wing cross found the head of Jude Arthurs whose effort seemed destined for the top left hand corner of the net before Blues shot-stopper Blondy Nna Noukeu somehow tipped the ball over the crossbar.

Forster then sent a scorching 25 yard shot fizzing over the crossbar before the Shrimpers made a second change in the 83rd minute with Chris Wreh taking the place of Powell in attack.

Wreh immediately sent a low shot wide of the right post from 18 yards before a swerving effort from Cav Miley was parried out by Charles-Cook before being cleared by Byron Webster in the closing action of the afternoon.