WISE words of consolation and comfort came from an unexpected source after Town dropped back into the play-off placings.
Southend manager Steve Tilson knows exactly how Town's fans, management and players are feeling after being held to a second goalless League draw at the Galpharm in three outings.
"It's not easy to get home wins," said Tilson, whose own side slipped to sixth while Town fell behind Brentford on goal difference to sit third.
"We have experienced the same thing against Bradford and Chesterfield in our last two home matches - teams come away to try and frustrate you.
"It makes life very difficult for the home team, but Huddersfield are very well organised and they are still second on points in the table, so they must be doing something right."
It's an important time for everyone who cares about Town's prospects to remember those factors.
Two points from nine amounts to their worst run of the season and it's enabled a posse of chasers to close in at the top of the table in the run-up to the busy and vital Christmas period of four games in eight days.
But Town have three holiday matches against teams in the bottom 16 hung around a New Year's Eve derby at Barnsley and they've definitely got the ability to take advantage.
They will need more cutting edge than Saturday, however, if they are to put pressure on leaders Swansea and Martin Allen's improving Bees, who smashed Tranmere 4-1 at Prenton Park to move into the automatic promotion placings.
Peter Jackson's side worked hard enough and never lacked desire, but they were frustrated by Southend's well-drilled banks of four in a tightly contested game.
It didn't help that Town wasted possession too often after initial bright groundwork - giving the ball away too easily on too many occasions - and some sections of support registered their displeasure with booing at half time and after the final whistle.
That was perhaps harsh, even though Town were well short of their fluent and entertaining best, and the anxiety was reflected in the way Jackson's men snatched at their best chances.
Those fell to Pawel Abbott (twice) and Andy Booth in the first half, while Booth, Danny Schofield and returning substitute Martin McIntosh all went close in the second as Town worked hard to try and overcome Southend's impressive pressure play in midfield.
Lively Chris Brandon and Schofield created Abbott's first chance on nine minutes, a header which he landed on top of the net, while his second on 25 came from a superb Nathan Clarke pass which the touch and shot couldn't match.
Booth rushed a 36th-minute volley to fire over the top and Town couldn't set their sights even as late as 65 minutes when Schofield curled an effort wide after Mark Hudson and Brandon had worked well through the centre.
Almost immediately, Southend were denied the best chance of the match when Paul Rachubka did well to stand tall and save from Mark Gower when he was clean through on goal.
It was a scary moment, especially as Andy Holdsworth, David Mirfin and Nathan Clarke had all earlier been required to make excellent covering tackles as Southend exploited the pace of Wayne Gray and James Lawson.
The welcome introduction of McIntosh for injured Tom Clarke, who had raided forward well from left-back, brought an unexpected free-kick attempt by the substitute and, after Booth had been unable to get enough power on an Abbott cross, it was McIntosh who went closest from an Adnan Ahmed free-kick.
His header, however, was clawed away by the alert Darryl Flahavan and, with only two minutes left on the clock, everyone knew the last chance of victory had disappeared.
Town's point, therefore, owed much to the form of the back line in which Mirfin was strong and Nathan Clarke inspired.
He was quick into challenges and fearless in the tackle and, while the team may not have lived up to the high standards previously set, the elder Clarke certainly did.
Next page: Man of the Match >>>
Man of the Match: Nathan Clarke
Marshalled the Town defence superbly and showed confidence in winning early tackles and headers. Superb sliding tackle on Lawson summed up his excellent day. Hit top form once again
How they rated:
Paul Rachubka Stood solid to deny Gower one-on-one from Southend's best chance and largely untroubled for the clean sheet Rating: 6/10
Andy Holdsworth Found space at times but Southend's solid banks of four made it difficult. Had a couple of good early crosses smartly cleared Rating: 6/10
Tom Clarke Filled in at left-back and was performing well when forced off injured. One curling pass to Schofield stood out Rating: 6/10
Nathan Clarke Very impressive display. Quality challenges at the back throughout and created one great chance for Pav Abbott Rating: 8/10
David Mirfin Superb in the first half when his covering work caught the eye and he hardly put a foot wrong. Finished up at left-back Rating: 6/10
Danny Schofield Sent one curling effort just wide and supplied some testing crosses. Always trying to find the all-important break Rating: 6/10
Jon Worthington Did a lot of unselfish grafting to try and spark a brighter rhythm as Southend put constant pressure on the midfield Rating: 6/10
Mark Hudson Tried to find his best probing passing but, like many others, it wasn't one of his best days. Off for Ahmed on 70 minutes Rating: 6/10
Chris Brandon Very busy in the first half hour and always willing to tackle back. Made good runs but couldn't find an opening Rating: 7/10
Andy Booth Worked hard but didn't have it all his own way against Barrett and Prior. Close with volley and header Rating: 6/10
Pawel Abbott Like Booth, worked hard to make the most of few openings. Fired wide when put through by Clarke (N) first half Rating: 6/10
Turning Point:
Perhaps the most critical moment of the game came on 65 minutes when Paul Rachubka saved soundly from Mark Gower when he broke free into the box, but it was a fine one-handed save by Darryl Flahavan from a header by returning sub Martin McIntosh which prevented Town snatching three points
Spotlight on the ref:
Mick Fletcher had a pretty decent game and didn't get carried away early by handing out silly bookings as the teams settled into a tight game.
Eventually he booked Bentley and Prior for the visiting side and McIntosh for Town, but he was on the spot and ran the game nicely overall. Didn't let any time-wasting go unnoticed either.
Southend United: Flahavan; Jupp, Prior, Barrett, Wilson; Bentley, Guttridge (Cole 86), Smith (Pettefer 70), Gower; Gray, Lawson (Campbell-Ryce 74). Subs not used: Edwards, Ademeno.
