Hal Robson Kanu's third goal in as many games helped Southend come from behind to claim a point at home to League One leaders Swansea City.
The Blues more than held their own in front of a capacity crowd, as Robson-Kanu cancelled out a Jason Scotland penalty at the end of the first half in a 1-1 draw.
Southend did the early running, as Mark Gower worked his way into space outside the ball to fashion a low shot straight at goalkeeper Dorus De Vries.
At the other end, giant defender Dennis Lawrence kept Darryl Flahavan on his toes when he met a corner with a forceful header that had the goalkeeper scrambling to palm the ball out.
Southend continued to look lively in attack, but it was the presence of Peter Clarke who caused the most threat to the visitors from two separate free kicks.
Initially, he flashed a header wide from in front of goal, before reacting quickest at the far post to beat De Vries to win the ball, but he was unable to direct it in from a narrow angle.
Swansea were offered the respite they were looking for they were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute, after Thomas Butler collected a long range pass from Ferrie Bodde and in turning past the challenge of Mulgrew inside the box, was tripped in the process.
Scotland stepped up to score for the 26th time this season by sending Flahavan the wrong way, but the Blues' resilience held firm and Clarke further threatened with Barrett flicking Mulgrew's free kick into his path for a point blank shot that De Vries smothered.
Deep into stoppage time Southend's pressure paid off, as they were awarded a free kick midway in the Swans' half, which was swung in by Mulgrew and emphatically headed into the roof of the net by the rising Robson-Kanu.
The second half was less of a spectacle, with the heavy wind affecting both sides pattern of play and chances few and far between.
It was a mistake in the Swansea backline though that offered Lee Barnard a free route to goal, as the striker raced through from Bodde's careless pass, only to strike wide of the target when he looked odds-on to score.
Bodde attempted to make up for his error, when he tried his luck with a cross-cum-shot that swirled in the weather and cannoned off the crossbar before further panic ensued, with Nicky Bailey needing to clear the rebound off the line from Kevin Austin.
Southend had strong appeals for a penalty turned away after Barnard appeared to be pulled down in the box, before the closing stages saw both sides trying their luck from long range.
The Blues attempted a grandstand finish, as Mark Gower arrowed a shot that De Vries struggled to push to safety with the last action of an exciting encounter.
It means Southend have now extended their unbeaten run to seven games and continue to look strong in the play-offs ahead of their Bank Holiday encounter at Swindon.
Southend: Flahavan, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Mulgrew, Black (Grant 88), McCormack, Bailey, Gower, Robson-Kanu, Walker (Barnard 58).
Swansea: De Vries, Austin, Tate, Bodde, Britton, Pratley (Tudur Jones 80), Scotland, Lawrence, Robinson (Duffy 59), Rangel, Butler.
