Football: Bull to Wolves' rescue

Southend United 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

Steve Bull's sixth goal of the season earned Wolves their first point in three matches against a determined Southend United at Roots Hall yesterday.

It had threatened to be an afternoon of misery for the Mark McGhee's team after they had fallen behind to a Mike Marsh goal seven minutes before half-time.

But Bull came to the rescue 17 minutes from the end with his only clear cut opportunity during the match. Mark Venus whipped in a cross from the left which the former England striker met with a powerful header from a couple of yards out.

Marsh's 38th-minute goal came after he had won possession with a crunching tackle deep in the Wolverhampton half to free John Nielsen to his left. When the Danish midfielder crossed low towards the edge of the box, Marsh connected with a powerful drive which took a deflection off Dean Richards as it flew into the top corner.

It was no more than Southend deserved as before then Steve Tilson had twice just dragged shots wide of a post as the visitors were put under extreme pressure.

But Wolves came much more into the game after the break and before Bull struck the home side were indebted to goalkeeper Simon Royce who bravely denied Steve Corica the chance of an equaliser.

Goals: Marsh 38 (1-0); Bull 73 (1-1).

Southend United: Royce; Harris, Dublin, McNally, Lapper, Nielsen (Gridelet, 76), Marsh, Byrne, Boere (Rammell, 76), Williams, Tilson. Substitutes not used: Hails.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Stowell; Smith (Romano, 70), Froggatt, Atkins, Venus, Richards, Van der Laan, Corica (Leadbeater, 75), Bull, Dowe, Crowe. Substitute not used: Ferguson.

Referee: T West (Hull).

Man of the match: Royce (Southend).

Attendance: 5,550.