Southend United v Plymouth Argyle, 09 September 2000

Both clubs continued to come to terms with Division Three 2000/01 as the spoils were shared in Essex. Southend had failed to score in their previous two games but they had an early boost as Trevor Fitzpatrick slid in at the far post to score from David Lee's cross. Argyle were goalless in their two preceding League & Cup games, and they were soon off the mark when keeper Andy Woodman's attempted clearance cannoned in off the burly figure of Sean McCarthy. Woodman was red-faced again 25 minutes later when he was left in no-man's land as Paul McGregor read Jason Peake's cross to head his third goal in four games. Southend's saviour was transfer-listed Scott Houghton. The super sub cut in from the left wing, leaving Wayne O'Sullivan in his wake, before sending a right foot sizzler in Jon Sheffield's top left corner from fully 25 yards. Argyle had been the better team for much of the game but had to hang on as United poured men forward in the closing stages. A winner wasn't forthcoming so both were left with a record of a single win from their first six League games.