Promotion-chasing duo Southend United and Crawley Town both failed to gain ground on League Two leaders Swindon Town after playing out a 0-0 draw at Roots Hall tonight.
The game's major talking point came just past the hour mark when Southend defender Chris Barker was sent off for two bookable offences.
The Shrimpers centre-half was shown a yellow card after just 10 minutes for unsporting behaviour and then again 15 minutes into the second period for handball.
From the resulting penalty, United keeper Cameron Belford saved Billy Clarke's effort to keep the match goalless.
Despite their man advantage, Crawley couldn't find a winning strike as Sergio Torres headed wide late on.
Southend remain in third place in the table, while Town occupy a playoff spot in sixth.
Joe Fish
