Manager Kevin Maher has led Southend United into the National League play-offs five years after they were relegated from the Football League
Southend United secured the final place in the National League play-offs with a dour goalless draw away at Gateshead.
The north-east outfit had needed a win to snatch seventh spot from the Shrimpers, who were relegated from the Football League five years ago amid dire financial difficulties.
The Heed had been in the play-off spots for virtually the entire season but lost FA Trophy-winning manager Rob Elliot to Crawley Town in October and had slumped to nine defeats in their previous 11 games going into the game.
They knew a win would see them leapfrog back above Southend, but failed to test visiting goalkeeper Nick Hayes for the entire 90 minutes, as the Essex side set up a quarter-final at Rochdale on May 15.
Oldham Athletic will be at home to Halifax Town in the other quarter-final.
The Shrimpers timed their run to perfection, winning at Ebbsfleet and then at home to Wealdstone to move ahead of Gateshead with one game remaining, and they went closest to winning the game despite only needing a point.
Only a fine reaction save from home keeper George Shelvey kept out a Ben Goodliffe header, but Gateshead's dreadful league form carried on into this fixture as they managed just one shot on target all game, a tame effort straight at Southend goalkeeper Nick Hayes.
After being denied a place in the end-of-season shake-up by a 10-point deduction over their debts last year, Kevin Maher's team now have a chance to return to league status.
If they overcome Rochdale next week they will face a trip to Forest Green Rovers in the semi-finals.
'They deserve success' - Maher reaction
Southend head coach Kevin Maher told BBC Radio Essex:
"It's been a tough time but I'm delighted we came and put on a good performance. We were comfortable enough but I was disappointed we didn't get one or two [goals].
"I'm just pleased for everyone because I think we deserve it, as a club, as staff and as players. It's great we're in it and we'll enjoy this, but we know what we've got to do going forward.
"Without [the fans] there probably wouldn't be a football club so they deserve days like this and they deserve success, and the new owners
"We knew it would be a slow season, and we started slowly, but to give them something back is important."
