Image source, Getty Images

After that equaliser there's just been a little bit of a lull in the match, with neither side are really able to get their foot on the ball for long periods.

That, by the way, was Barry Corr's 15th league goal this season.

A bit of good news to bring you. Southend's Michael Timlin is out watching his team-mates from the touchline following his first-half clash with Stevenage defender Bira Dembele which left him needing 15 stitches in his head.

That's going to hurt in the morning.

This game is quite niggly, and we have a fourth player in the book as Southend midfielder David Worrall, who has been impressive today, sees yellow for a trip on tricky substitute Ben Kennedy.

Can anyone find that bit of quality to win the game?

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Southend are right back in this tie now, and it's their top scorer Barry Corr who has brought them level.

An inswinging corner from the right reaches the big forward at the back post, and his header towards goal deflects off an unsuspecting Andy Bond and into the net.

Tom's right, the Stevenage fans are clearly loving life right now. Could manager Graham Westley repeat the trick of 2011 and take his team to League One via the play-offs?

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We're being spoilt by some great play-off goals today, aren't we?

Earlier, Jermaine Beckford scored from the halfway line to seal Preston's 4-0 aggregate victory over Chesterfield in the League One play-off semi-final.

And this was the reception he got from the Preston fans after that wonder goal. Admittedly, they were also probably quite excited about the prospect of an upcoming trip to Wembley...

Tom Garry
BBC Sport at Lamex Stadium

"Who knew a League Two ground could generate so much noise? This game needed a goal, and that was some goal. Joyful scenes here. Now what have Southend got in their locker?"

Well, well, well. Dean Parrett has absolutely lit up the Lamex Stadium.

Once a team-mate of Harry Kane and Ryan Mason in Tottenham's youth team, Parrett picks up a pass from Charlie Lee and shows superb technique to curl the ball from the edge of the area past the despairing dive of Daniel Bentley in the Southend goal.

That's a play-off goal we could be seeing for quite some time.

Who's that in the crowd? It's Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth, who could be facing one of these sides in the play-off final at Wembley.

Ainsworth's side have a one-goal advantage going into the second leg at Adams Park.

Stevenage defender Jerome Okimo, who was very quiet in the first half, tries to make an impact on the game when he runs through pretty much the whole Southend team, before his cross into the box bounces off a defender and then bounces back off him.

A signal of intent from Boro?

Two half-time for substitutions for Stevenage as Bira Dembele comes off for Jon Ashton (any surprises there?), while youngster Ben Kennedy comes on for the yellow-carded Roarie Deacon.

And we're off for the second half.

Nathan Barrett: That was possibly the worst collision I've ever seen between two players.

Ben Dunbar: I've seen worse, he's from South London - he will want to run that off.

Southend's Michael Timlin, sporting a nasty head wound, was replaced soon after his collision with Stevenage captain Bira Dembele, who has also been taken off.

We wish both well - it was a horrible, horrible moment.

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A reminder that the winners of this semi-final will face either Plymouth or Wycombe in the League Two final at Wembley on 23 May.

Last night, the Chairboys looked to be taking a three-goal advantage into Thursday's second leg, but two late Argyle goals at Home Park saw the game end 3-2, leaving the tie very much in the balance.

Tom Garry
BBC Sport at Lamex Stadium

Image source, PA

"I can't remember seeing a more physical half of football all season. Both sets of players are showing some serious commitment to the cause tonight.

Southend have definitely had the better chances, but they lost a bit of their momentum when we had that lengthy break to treat the two head injuries.

"Despite that, the visiting fans seem pretty satisfied with their team's showing so far. As for the hosts, they could do with a goal to get this place rocking like it was ahead of kick-off."

So what do you make of that first half, ladies and gents? Do you think we'll have a breakthrough in this match, or do you think they will both be happy to settle for a draw ahead of Thursday's second leg?

Get involved using #bbcfootball on Twitter.

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Finally the half-time whistle blows. Other than that late David Worrall chance, the biggest talking point of the first half is obviously the collision between Michael Timlin and Bira Dembele.

The first yellow card for Stevenage as Roarie Deacon catches John White late just outside the area on the right.

The resulting free-kick leads to a completely mistimed header by Barry Corr, which troubles no-one in Stevenage colours.

As I say that, the best chance of the half follows as a ball into the box breaks for David Worrall, but he scuffs his shot from the edge of the six-yard box right at Chris Day in the Stevenage goal.

He had the whole goal to aim at and absolutely had to score.

We've reached the 50th minute of the half, and Chris Beardsley heads wide for Stevenage under pressure from Dean Parrett's ball in. I think everyone would like to get into the dressing rooms now.

The opening exchanges of this injury time have been very bitty, but Will Atkinson has a glorious chance to put Southend ahead.

Barry Corr does what he does best and holds the ball up before laying off to Atkinson, who fires well over from a decent position in the box.