Southend United were denied a dramatic away win by a last-gasp equaliser from Carlisle United's Georgie Kelly in a chaotic 2-2 draw at Brunton Park. The visitors had turned the game on its head with two goals in the final minutes, only for Kelly to rescue a point for the hosts deep into added time.
Southend's late show
Carlisle had dominated the first half and led through Kelly's first goal, assisted by David Ajiboye. Southend struggled for possession after the break and did not register a shot on target until the 83rd minute. That effort brought the equaliser, with Leon Parillon finding the net. The turnaround appeared complete when Kyle McAdam scored in stoppage time to put Southend ahead.
Kelly's brilliant finish
The drama was not over. Georgie Kelly, who was later named man of the match, produced a brilliant finish for his second goal to level the score once more. "I'm delighted to have rescued a point that looked lost," Kelly said after the final whistle. Carlisle manager Rob Elliot described the finale as chaotic.
What the result means
The draw ends Southend's three-match winning streak but extends their unbeaten run in the National League to four games. Kevin Maher's side remain fourth in the table with 13 points from six matches, three points behind leaders Boreham Wood. Their recent form reads three wins, one draw and one defeat from the last five outings.
Southend had beaten Yeovil Town 3-2 in their previous match, with goals from Dan Oldaker, Leon Chambers-Parillon and Phoenix Omochere. They next face a home fixture against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.
