SOUTHEND United skipper Nathan Ralph stressed there were plenty of positives to take from the Shrimpers’ 2-2 draw with Forest Green Rovers.

Blues ended a run of three successive defeats by twice fighting back against Steve Cotterill’s side who started the afternoon top of the table.

And Ralph, who netted the first of the two equalisers, was quick to praise the spirit on show.

“I'm pleased and I think there were a lot of positives to take,” said Ralph.

“They're top of the league and I feel like we matched them all over the pitch.

“We could have nicked it as well on another day but it wasn't meant to be but we'll take the positives and move onto Tuesday now.”

Blues, who remain 16th in the standings, head to Woking next up.

And Ralph will head into facing his former team fresh from scoring his second goal of the season.

“Gussy's great with his throws and I think it's taken a deflection,” said Ralph.

“I wanted to try and be near where it lands which is something we work on in training.

“Luckily I was in the right place at the right time.

“It went onto my right foot and somehow it went in.”

Ralph was followed onto the score-sheet by midfielder Oli Coker.

And Ralph was delighted by the never say die attitude from the Shrimpers.

“We said to the group in the week, when things go against us let’s make sure we keep on doing what we do because it’s worked for so long and it’s instilled into us in training every day,” said Ralph.

“We’ll definitely win more than we lose if we do that.

“But you can never question the character of this group.

“It’s something that’s been here ever since the staff have come in.

“It’s positive on that front but we want to put it right defensively “It's frustrating to concede the two goals but we'll look at it in the week and look to put it right. “