The Seasiders began 2006 with a 2-1 defeat against high flying Southend United. Despite dominating the second half Simon Grayson's men paid the price for squandering one too many chances and conceded a goal that saw Steve Tilson's men go top of League One.

The Seasiders began the first game of 2006 attacking the vacant South Stand area and Pool could have been one up in the first minute when Jason Wilcox fired over having been found by a great ball from Simon Wiles, seconds later Scott Vernon and Keigan Parker combined with the latter firing straight at the keeper from an acute angle.

The visitors were forced into an early change when Carl Pettefer left the field of play following a nasty clash of heads with Danny Warrender.

Southend forced the games first corner on six minutes but Gower's effort was headed clear by Jason Wilcox.

Keith Southern fired well wide from 25-yards on nine minutes following some neat play down the right channel involving Parker, Warrender and Wiles.

The best chance of the opening ten minutes fell to Mark Gower who saw a bullet header rebound off the post with Lee Jones rooted to the spot. Two minutes later Wayne Gray headed over for the visitors.

After a period of twenty minutes or so of both sides cancelling themselves out the visitors took the lead on 38 minutes when MARK BENTLEY headed home from close range following a cross from the right, the Seasiders had been indebted to a goal line clearance seconds before and with the defence at sixes and sevens once again Bentley crept in to give Jones no chance.

Pool were denied an equaliser on the stroke of half time, Danny Warrender, Keigan Parker and Simon Wiles combined to good effect down the right flank, Parker sent Wiles through on goal and as the young winger was about to pull the trigger Southend 'keeper Flahavan bravely blocked at the youngsters feet.

Half Time Blackpool 0 Southend 1

The interval saw Pool made two changes with John Murphy and Ian Morris replacing Scott Vernon and Mark McGregor and within two minutes of the re-start Pool were pressing for an equaliser. Ian Morris released Keith Southern down the left wing, the combative midfielder cross to John Murphy who was unlucky to see his glancing header fly just wide. Two minutes later Morris again played a great ball, this time the Irish Under-19 international from inside his own half released Keigan Parker, the diminutive Scot showed his pace to find himself one on one with the keeper, but the livewire striker could only direct his finish wide.

Keigan Parker's floated free kick on 51 minutes almost brought Pool back on level terms, but Keith Southern saw his effort put behind for a corner. Four minutes later Parker made the most of some hesitant defending to once again find himself through on goal, but once again Parker could only direct his finish wide of the right hand post.

The best chance of the opening 15 minute period of the second half fell to Simon Wiles, the young winger had arrived to get on the end of a Keigan Parker cross, but Wiles completely scuffed his shot and the ball dribbled out for a goal kick.

In a rare foray forward Southend squandered a corner after Ian Morris had put behind under pressure from Gower.

Keith Southern picked up a yellow card on 64 minutes following a late challenge on Jupp.Two minutes later Pool earned a corner after Wilson put behind under pressure from Wiles, the resulting corner saw John Murphy head wide.

Jason Wilcox now operating at left back after McGregor was withdrawn at half time, saw a long range shot fly straight at the keeper on 71 minutes.

Pool made their last change of the afternoon on 72 minutes when Lewis Gobern replaced Simon Wiles.

Pool's dominance was finally rewarded on 76 minutes when KEIGAN PARKER fired home form an acute angle after he had shown great skill and pace to cut in from the left.

Two minutes later John Murphy nodded Jason Wilcox cross wide and the Pool faithful were beginning to sense the three points were there for the taking.

Ciaran Donnelly curled an effort high over the bar before Keigan Parker was booked.

Southend who seemed content with a point sent out a warning to the Seasiders three minutes from time when Gower fired over, a minute later Pool were forced to scramble a teasing corner away.

Having dominated the half, Pool were made to pay for their missed chances on the stroke of full time when FREDDY EASTWOOD was allowed to fire into the bottom left hand corner from 20-yards.