Southend United were relegated to the National League for the first time in their history despite coming from behind to win away at Barrow. 

A 0-0 result for Scunthorpe United in their game against Bradford City was enough to confirm the Shrimpers place in the drop zone.

Goals from John White and Terrell Egbri were enough to cancel out an early goal from Barrow striker Scott Quigley and give Southend the three points, but could not prevent their relegation from being sealed.    

Story of the match 

Southend came into the match knowing that they would require victory if they were to have any chance of keeping their slim League Two survival hopes alive regardless of results elsewhere, and they made an attacking start to the game, enjoying much of the early possession and coming close to a breakthrough in just the eighth minute when Greg Halford fired narrowly over with an overhead kick from the centre of the box, after the ball was parried into the air by Barrow 'keeper Joel Dixon. 

The Seasiders then again came close with 18 minutes gone when a corner from Ricky Holmes dropped short and fell into the path of defender John White, whose close range shot was well blocked by the Bluebirds’ defence. 

It would prove to be the hosts, however, who would take the lead when top-scorer Scott Quigley found the back of the net from the edge of the penalty area after being laid off by Luke James following a quick break away by the Barrow attack after 19 minutes. 

Their lead was only short lived though as White managed to bring the Blues level in the 30th minute with an impressive finish after volleying home after getting on the end of a Holmes free-kick. 

Rob Kelly's side looked to respond quickly following White's goal and briefly believed they had re-taken the lead in first half stoppage time when Quigley again had the ball in the back of the net before being flagged for offside. 

United came out with increased attacking intent following the break however, coming close to taking the lead when a Tyler Cordner effort from outside the penalty area bounced just wide of the post in the 47th minute. 

Not long after, Southend did manage to take the lead when Terrell Egbri got his first goal of the season, he fired home with a powerful long range effort that did just enough to be Dixon in the Barrow goal after 52 minutes. 

The Bluebirds began to grow into the game as the second half continued though, nearly getting an equaliser after 72 minutes when Matthew Platt's close range effort was denied only by a superb reflex save by Mark Oxley. 

As the game began to enter the closing stages, both sides pressed for a decisive goal but struggled to create any clear cut chances. 

The result sees Southend relegated despite picking up the three points due to the results elsewhere and they remain in 23rd place, Barrow also drop one place to 21st in the table.

Man of the match -  John White 

The veteran centre-back gave an impressive performance in what proved to be a good away win for the Shrimpers despite the conformation of their relegation.  

His clinically finished equaliser was able to give his side hope of a positive from the game and he was also a threat from set pieces throughout the game. 

White also gave a commanding performance at the back and was key to maintaining his sides lead, especially during the late stages of the game when Barrow were searching for an equaliser.