SOUTHEND United skipper Nathan Ralph was pleased to end a hectic schedule for the Shrimpers with a point at Hartlepool United on Saturday.

Blues bagged a share of the spoils from their ninth game in 28 days.

And Ralph felt it was a decent result for Kevin Maher's side.

"It's a difficult place to come and it's a long journey so it's a good point in the end," said Ralph.

"I thought we had a few chances to win it and it looked like a definite pen from where I was too.

"But these things happen and we've continued our run."

Blues had penalty shouts waved away after Jack Bridge went to ground following a tangle with Terrell Agyemang.

But the game ultimately ended goalless and Ralph thought the Shrimpers did well to secure a second clean sheet in succession.

"They're a good side and you saw that when they came to us earlier in the season," said Ralph.

"We've had Saturday, Tuesday for however long now so we had to dig deep.

"But in the second half we were getting more legs rather than tiring out so it was pleasing.”

Ralph also showed good energy levels down the left hand side after switching to a wing-back role in place of Jack Bridge.

And he did not mind featuring more out wide.

“I'm happy to play wherever and it's somewhere I've played before,” said Ralph.

“I'm not quite as much of a dribbler as Bridgey but I like to get balls into the box and I don't mind playing there if needed.”

Ralph reverted into the back three following Bridge’s introduction midway through the second half.

And he now wants to help the 10th placed Shrimpers finish the season strongly.

“We’ll take it game by game and look to keep on picking up points,” said Ralph.

“That's all we can do.

“We were put into a certain situation at the start but we'll keep doing the best we can and see where that takes us.”