Hal Robson-Kanu's strike earned Southend a 1-1 draw against Swansea and stopped the visitors extending their lead at the top to 12 points.The striker, who is on loan from Reading, netted with a fine header from Charlie Mulgrew's free-kick from the right in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.

It was Robson-Kanu's third goal in three games and cancelled out Jason Scotland's penalty, which was awarded after Mulgrew tripped Thomas Butler as he ran into the Southend box.

Scotland sent Shrimpers' keeper Darryl Flahavan the wrong way as he kicked the ball into the right side of the goal for his 26th strike of the season.

In an evenly contested match, Peter Clarke went close to scoring twice through headers for Southend, while substitute striker Lee Barnard shot wide when clear through on goal following a Ferrie Bodde error.

But the woodwork came to Southend's rescue when Bodde hit the crossbar midway through the second half and Nicky Bailey ensured a share of the spoils for play-off hopefuls Southend when he cleared Kevin Austin's back-heel off the line following a spell of sustained Swansea pressure.

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