Shaun Goater had a goal ruled out for offside and another shot tipped over the bar by what appeared to be a defender?s hand as title-chasing Southend were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Shrimpers remain six points clear at the top of League One with six matches to go after a late equaliser from James Hayter pegged back Freddy Eastwood?s first-half strike.

After seven minutes the veteran Bermudian got a toe to a Mark Bentley cross but the strike was ruled out by the linesman?s flag before Eastwood gave the visitors a 20th-minute lead.

Southend were then denied a penalty after Goater out-muscled an opponent before forcing a good save out of the ?keeper and then seeing his rebound tipped over the bar by what looked like an illegal Bournemouth hand.

Southend kept pressing but Hayter?s 82nd-minute strike tied things up in what boss Steve Tilson described as ?two points lost?.

Goater?s side remain six points ahead of second-placed Brentford and 12 points clear of the side in seventh, almost guaranteeing a minimum of a play-off place this term following promotion last year.

Meanwhile, Stateside, Khano Smith remained on the injured list as New England Revolution opened their MLS campaign against the side that beat them in last year?s championship game.

This time around, Steve Nicol?s men grabbed a 1-0 victory over the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Centre courtesy of a first-half strike from Clint Dempsey, the US international back in the squad following a suspension for punching team captain Joey Franchino in a training ground spat.

Smith remains out with a knee problem that required off-season surgery.