SOUTHEND 0, LEEDS UNITED 0
Southend: Mildenhall, Francis, Barrett, M'voto, Herd, McCormack, Grant (Scannell 80), Moussa, Christophe, Laurent (Freedman 80), Barnard. Subs: Walker, Sankofa, O'Keefe, Joyce, Sawyer.
United: Higgs, Crowe (Michalik 48), Kisnorbo, Bromby, Hughes, Snodgrass (Kilkenny 75), Howson, Doyle, Johnson, Becchio (Grella 82), Beckford. Subs: Ankergren, Prutton, Robinson, Showunmi.
Referee: P Taylor
Booked: McCormack (Southend), Crowe, Hughes (United)
Att: 10,123 (2151 Leeds)
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Leeds United manager Simon Grayson welcomed back leading goalscorer Jermaine Beckford knowing that a draw or a first ever victory at Southend would secure top spot in League One.
Having clocked up the best ever start to a season by winning eight games in all competitions, United were chasing a seventh straight league win, to equal the best ever start to a league campaign.
The opening exchanges were hurried with neither side getting a foot on the ball, but Bradley Johnson did have one early effort blocked after Robert Snodgrass won a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Snodgrass also won a corner in the opening 10 minutes which saw Patrick Kisnorbo nod on to Leigh Bromby, who came close to opening the scoring.
Micky Doyle also created a half-chance for Beckford when he delivered a superb cross-field ball from deep, but the United striker's effort was blocked by a home defender.
Southend goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall also had to save from defender Adam Barrett who blocked a Johnson cross following a good free-kick from Andrew Hughes.
Leeds fashioned out another chance on 19 minutes, courtesy of a stunning ball from Jonny Howson. Snodgrass was again involved before a Beckford shot was deflected over the top.
United had started well and the passing and movement was excellent. Chances were also falling - Beckford lifted one over the top, following a Johnson cross - and on the evidence of the opening 20 minutes or so you sensed that one goal could spark an avalanche.
Southend had offered little, but Francis Laurent served notice of his pace down the right when he beat Kisnorbo before crossing to win a corner. Southend skipper Barrett headed the resultant corner over the top.
At the other end, Snodgrass curled a free-kick wide of the mark, but it was a free-kick for the hosts which caused problems for United when Shane Higgs was called upon to get in a block from Jean-Yves M'Voto.
Higgs also had to make a save from Laurent on 39 minutes at a stage when United were reduced to 10 men while Snodgrass was sidelined with a bloody shirt after taking a knock in the face.
Southend also had the best chance of the half, in the 45th minute, when Anthony Grant somehow volleyed a cross over the top when it looked easier to score.
The second period started with a change for United with Lubo Michalik replacing an injured Jason Crowe just two minutes after the re-start. Bromby switched to right-back with Michalik partnering Kisnorbo.
The game had ebbed and flowed since United's early threat of dominance and the early stages of the second period offered little in the way of excitement, although after a couple of early Leeds attacks, Bromby was called upon to make a good block from Franck Moussa.
As the game ticked past the 65-minute mark the outcome was still very much in the balance with neither side really taking a grip on proceedings, but then Bromby was adjudged to have pushed Lee Barnard in the penalty box and the hosts were handed the chance from the penalty spot.
But United goalkeeper Higgs was equal to Barnard's cleanly struck penalty and pulled off a terrific save.
On 74 minutes United had an opportunity when Beckford seized upon a defensive slip, but the striker couldn't apply the finishing touch with Barrett making a decisive tackle.
And, moments later, Grayson made his second change, introducing Neil Kilkenny in place of Snodgrass with Howson moving on to the right.
With 10 minutes remaining, one-time United striker Dougie Freedman stepped off the bench as Southend boss Steve Tilson made a double change in the hope of forcing something late on. Mike Grella also came on for Leeds for the closing stages.
The American did screw a shot wide with six minutes remaining and Beckford had a great chance, following a Michalik throw-in, but his close-range effort was straight at Mildenhall who made the block.
And on 89 minutes, Grella got up well to meet a Johnson corner, but his header was off target and failed to trouble Mildenhall.
Four minutes of added time gave both sides hope and after Grella had a shot blocked the American appeared to believe United had good claims for a penalty, but the referee dismissed the appeal.
Leeds also had to defend a couple of a late free-kicks, but despite a lack of goals, and the ending of the winning run, the point was enough to lift United to the top of the table.
