Barnard late show saves Shrimpers

Barnard: Vital strike

The Shrimpers extended their unbeaten run to 13 games in a full-blooded contest at Brunton Park as Carlisle's automatic promotion hopes received a setback.

Southend's positive approach paid early dividends when Paul Reid fouled Barnard 25-yards out and on-loan midfielder Charlie Mulgrew bent the free-kick over the wall and passed a surprised Keiren Westwood to hand the visitors a seventh-minute lead.

Carlisle began the second half with some spirited attacking although their equaliser, when it came in the 53rd minute, had a dose of good fortune about it - teenage substitute Gary Madine won a free-kick by the right hand corner flag and Simon Hackney's free-kick deceived keeper Darryl Flahavan in the Southend goal as it found its way through a gap at the near post.

Home defender David Raven was red-carded in the 67th minute for a late challenge on Nicky Bailey but despite being down to 10 men, Carlisle should have led a couple of minutes later when Graham headed over from point-blank range.

Barnard came within inches of scoring for the visitors in the 86th minute when his curler hit the inside of the far post and ran to safety. But in the 90th minute Gower's cross from the left gave the Southend striker the chance to thump home a six-yard header.