This will allow manager Roddy Collins to bring players in to bolster a now threadbare squad.

Courtenay's commitment indicates his takeover of the club from Michael Knighton is now only a matter of a few days away.

Collins was buoyant about the future after the most difficult few days in his short tenure as Carlisle manager.

He said after the game: "The condition of the pitch and the wind didn't really help and the game needed a goal either way to open up the game.

"But I am happy with a point to take us further away from Halifax, which was important at this stage of the season.

"It has been a difficult week, but I met with Michael Knighton on Saturday because I needed to know what was going on.

"I was getting anxious. I had been talking to John Courtenay regularly, but needed to know first hand because I have a commitment to the players.

"But I now know the club will change hands in the next few days.

"John Courtenay is paying off the PFA loan and he wouldn't be doing that unless the deal was imminent."

Carlisle started the game with a gale force wind in their faces.

But they had the first chance after nine minutes when Brendan McGill's cross was headed straight at Darryl Flahavan by Steve Halliday.

As Southend began to dominate in midfield an Ian Selley free kick was headed wide by Phil Whelan and he again went close, this time heading straight at Keen after Leon Cort had headed back a Selley free kick.

The Cumbrians almost broke the deadlock with a penetrating run down the left from McGill with his final shot cleared over the bar for a corner by Damon Searle.

On 36 minutes Keen had luck on his side when he fumbled a Bramble header for a corner.

Then Green should have done better, from McGill's through ball, but blasted his right foot shot wide.

Southend should have taken the lead in first half injury time when a Barry-Murphy short corner fed Mayer on the edge of the box, but after making space for himself he blazed over the bar from a good position.

The Shrimpers were unlucky not to take the lead immediately after the break. Whelan hit the bar, with Thurgood's header from the rebound brilliantly tipped round the post by Keen.

Dave Rogers then saw his overhead kick sail harmlessly over the bar before Lee Andrews came the closest for Carlisle when his shot from a tight angle hit the bar.

Whelan almost grabbed the winner for Southend in the dying seconds but his header from a Selley free kick was saved by Keen low to his right.

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