Michael Coulson's last-minute strike secured a replay for Barnsley in their FA Cup third-round clash against fellow Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Southend at Roots Hall.

Mark Gower's close-range strike fired the Shrimpers into the lead, before Coulson struck deep in stoppage time to earn his side a deserved replay at Oakwell.

Southend boss Steve Tilson was again without the injured Spencer Prior and suspended Efe Sodje, so Adam Barrett and Peter Clarke continued their partnership in central defence.

Barnsley captain Paul Reid started after recovering from a shin injury he suffered in the defeat to Wolves on New Year's Day, but fellow defender Antony Kay was suspended.

The away side started brightest and Paul Hayes volleyed wide from the edge of the penalty area, before Martin Devaney also fired wide after trying his luck from long range.

But Southend then created their first opportunity of the match as Alan McCormack blazed wide of the target from 25 yards.

Midfielder Gower's long-range drive was then deflected behind by Barnsley defender Bobby Hassell in the 16th minute, and from the resulting corner, Peter Clarke's 12-yard header had to be parried away by Tykes goalkeeper Nick Colgan.

Shrimpers striker Freddy Eastwood fired straight at Colgan from long range, before Sam Togwell's 25-yard drive was also saved by United goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan.

And the home side missed a glorious chance to take the lead in the 20th minute as former Manchester City striker Lee Bradbury headed straight at Colgan following Steven Hammell's cross.

But Barnsley then wasted their best opportunity of the first half in the 31st minute when Daniel Nardiello fired wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy.

Adam Barrett's header from the centre of the penalty area failed to test Colgan soon after, before Nardiello missed another gilt-edged chance on the stroke of half-time when his close-range effort was cleared by Clarke.

Bradbury fired wide from 20 yards just after the interval, before Clarke did well to block Devaney's goalbound drive in the 52nd minute.

However, Southend did finally break the deadlock three minutes later. Eastwood's free-kick from the edge of the penalty area was sailing wide, but Gower superbly turned the ball into the net from close range to secure his fifth goal of the season.

Bradbury and the lively Gower then missed the chance to double the Shrimpers' advantage when they both fired wide from long range, before Togwell dragged his 30-yard effort wide of the target.

The Tykes pushed forward in search of an equaliser and in the 65th minute Robert Atkinson headed wide from the centre of the penalty area following Devaney's inswinging corner.

Both sides then failed to create any clear-cut chances in a scrappy and nervy passage of play, before the game sprung to life again in the 80th minute.

Bradbury's drive was blocked by Atkinson and four minutes later Gower's drilled 12-yard effort was superbly parried to safety by Colgan.

Nardiello blazed over, before Barnsley grabbed the leveller in the 93rd minute when Coulson headed home from close range during a mad scramble after Togwell's shot could only be parried by Flahavan.

Teams:

Southend Flahavan, Hunt, Clarke, Barrett, Hammell,Campbell-Ryce, McCormack (Guttridge 84), Maher, Gower,Bradbury, Eastwood.

Subs Not Used: Welch, Francis, Wilson, Paynter.

Booked: McCormack, Hammell.

Goals: Gower 58.

Southend Colgan, Hassell, Paul Reid, Atkinson, Austin,Hayes (Coulson 78), Howard, Togwell, Devaney, Richards,Nardiello.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Heckingbottom, Tonge, Williams.

Booked: Austin, Togwell, Nardiello.

Goals: Coulson 90.

Att: 5,485

Ref: M Jones (Mansfield).