Shots extended their unbeaten run to 8 matches after a solid performance at Roots Hall.
With both sides missing a succession of half chances, the result could have gone either way. 'Goals for' have been at a premium for Shots this season but although they failed to score again, they defended well and came away with a clean sheet and a well deserved point.
Manager Dean Holdsworth made just one change from last weeks draw with Accrington, bringing Jermaine McGlashan back into the starting eleven, in place of Alex Rodman.
McGlashan was a thorn in Southend's side all afternoon, but as has often been the case this season, could not quite find the end product his pace and trickery threatened throughout.
Shots edged a scrappy first half and Spencer, Vincenti and Guttridge all went close. The home side barely threatened, but should have led at the break, when right on half time, their returning top scorer, Barry Corr headed over when it looked easier to score.
The second half was a much livelier affair as both sides tried to push on for the win that might keep their fading play-off hopes alive. It was end to end stuff and their were two corners at either end within the opening five minutes.
On 67 minutes, Ryan Hall played a free kick short to Anthony Grant for the home side and the ex-Chelsea midfielder let fly with a 20 yard right footed sizzler which was heading for the far top corner. Shots keeper Jamie Young had other ideas though, launched himself towards it and somehow managed to palm it round for a corner.
Just two minutes later Glenn Morris, keeping goal for Southend, matched Young's feat and finger-tipped Spencer's goalbound header onto his right hand post.
They were undoubtedly the game's best chances although on another day, Corr, with 18 goals to his name already this season, could have walked away with the match ball.
Into added time and one last chance for Shots to wrap up the points, but whilst well struck, Guttridge's free kick just brushed the wrong side of Southend's left hand post and the home side hung on.
Holdsworth was pleased with his teams performance but understandably a bit disappointed not to come away with all three points. When asked if the draw spelt the end of Shots faint play-off hopes he replied "I haven't really looked at the play-offs, because I wasn't sure quite where this run could take us, but it was important to extend it and we'll be going into every one of our final six games looking to win them".
Shots: Young 7, Herd 7, Jones 6, Charles 8, Straker 6, McGlashan 6, (Small) Guttridge 7, Halls 6, Hylton 6 (Rodman) Vincenti 6, Spencer 6 (Sills). Att: 5557, with 350 Shots fans