RYAN Hall ensured his Southend United side stayed in the FA Cup and also worked their way in to the club's record books with a fantastic equaliser against Oldham Athletic this afternoon.

Hall hit home a looping long range half volley to cancel out James Wesolowski’s opener for the Latics as the second round clash ended in a 1-1 draw at Roots Hall.

And Hall's strike was enough for Blues to make it 17 matches unbeaten to equal their best ever unbeaten run.

Only once before in Southend's 105 year history have they have gone so long without a defeat.

But the record seemed in doubt during the first half at the weekend as League One Oldham were territorially on top.

They came close to opening the scoring in the 18th minute when Kieran Lee capitalised on a mistake from Peter Gilbert to send Lucas Scapuzzi through on goal.

However with just Luke Daniels to beat, the Italian winger saw his 12 yard shot tipped wide of the right post by Blues' on loan custodian.

In reply, Southend then thought they had opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Bilel Mohsni headed home Sean Clohessy's right wing cross.

But referee David Webb ruled out the effort for a foul by the Frenchman on Oldham’s substitute defender Nathan Clarke.

Clarke had earlier replaced Zander Diamond at the heart of the Latics’ back four after he was injured by a late Mohsni challenge which saw the winger booked.

And, with 36 minutes on the clock, Mohsni was lucky to avoid a second yellow card for another late tackle on Paul Black.

Oldham were angered by the decision but their mood was lifted in the 39th minute when they broke the deadlock.

Scapuzzi’s initial 20 yard shot was parried out by Daniels and that enabled Kuqi to square the ball in to the path of Wesolowski who thundered a well struck shot in to the roof of the net via the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

Sixty seconds later, Oldham should have doubled their lead as Kuqi latched on to a poor Mark Phillips back-pass and rounded the advancing Daniels.

But, having moved forward and, with only Chris Barker on the goal-line to beat, the tall target-man embarrassingly scuffed a six yard shot wide of the left post.

In a bid to get back in to the game, Blues boss Paul Sturrock made two changes at the break with Neil Harris and Blair Sturrock coming on to replace Jean-Paul Kalala and Liam Dickinson.

However, the duo had to endure a normal than longer half-time break as the officials were also forced in to a change with fourth official William Bull running the line for the second period in place of the injured Chris O’Donnell.

Harris immediately scuffed a left wing free-kick from Hall wide of the left post but the visitors then came close to making it 2-0 when Kuqi teed up Dean Furman and he smashed a 20 yard shot against the top of the crossbar.

Blues made the most of the let-off by equalising in the 67th minute as Hall bagged his ninth goal of the season.

The winger latched on to a poor clearance from Athletic goalkeeper Alex Cisak who rushed off his line to stop Mohsni reaching Sturrock’s through ball.

And that allowed Hall to compose himself before looping the ball back over Cisak’s head with a controlled half volley from 35 yards.

Southend then almost went in front when Cisak’s outstretched arm stopped Kane Ferdinand converting Mohsni’s back post header.

Moments later, Cisak did well to tip a 25 yard free-kick from Hall around the left post and, in the 83rd minute, Hall fired off target after being set up by some impressive play by Ferdinand.

Seconds from time, Mohsni had another effort ruled out for offside as his header from Hall’s right wing cross was chalked off.

Mohsni and Sturrock then also had late headers easily saved, meaning the two teams will do battle again at Boundary Park next week to fight for a place in the third round.