BY STEVE MITCHELL

LIVERPOOL HELD TO GOALLESS DRAW IN THE SOUTHEND SNOW:

As his team flew home after a goalless draw against Third Division Southend United in the third-round of the FA Cup, Liverpool boss Bob Paisley cut a frustrated figure. In a game that was due be played last Saturday but which fell victim to the winter weather, Paisley admitted that last nightâ€™s contest should have been called off too.

â€œAll you could do was try and play it tight and try not to give away a goal,â€ explained Paisley to reporters, â€œWe did that and nobody was hurt but this was no night for a football match.â€

During the day, conditions looked favourable as the sun shone on Roots Hall but around 5pm, a blizzard started and continued as the match got underway. â€œI wasnâ€™t going to ask for the match to be postponed, â€œsaid Paisley, â€œYou could see for yourself that it made football a farce. Iâ€™d like to have seen how players like (Johan) Cruyff would have looked out on that skid pan.â€

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Reds goalkeeper Ray Clemence had warned of complacency ahead of the original fixture and the England number one had to be alert as the orange ball pinged all over the place at a snow covered Roots Hall. The conditions were, of course, a huge leveller and despite the European Champions having the majority of possession throughout the 90 minutes, Southend caused the Merseyside giants problems on the break.

Shrimpers boss Dave Smith was delighted that the game went ahead in front of a full-house (some supporters were still entering the stadium at half-time) and he told The Liverpool Echo that, â€œThe lads did me proud and deserved to win. Iâ€™m a little disappointed we didnâ€™t snatch it in the last minute.

â€œI still think we might manage to win at Anfield.â€

Clear chances were few and far between although Kenny Dalglish, whose last Liverpool goal came back in October, almost gave the visitors the lead inside the opening minute. Southendâ€™s best chance also came in the first-half as the Liverpool defence was caught square allowing striker Derrick Parker a sight at goal. Clemence, however, was quick off his line and made a tackle that his defenders would have been proud of to avert the danger.

In the end, the Third Division side deserved another crack with the replay now scheduled for next Wednesday (17^th) at Anfield.

FA CUP ROUND-UP:

Itâ€™s been a busy week in footballâ€™s oldest cup competition after last Saturdayâ€™s wipe-out of virtually the entire third-round.

Two Non-League sides are in the hat for the fourth-round with special mention going to Altrincham who held Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane. Peter Taylor put Spurs ahead from the penalty spot in the first-half but Jeff Johnson grabbed a famous equaliser for the minnows, to take the North London side to a replay.

Maidstone United gave Second-Division Charlton Athletic the fright of their lives at The Valley. A goal from Coupland put the visitors ahead and the home side had to thank Mick Flanagan for rescuing a draw in the second-half.

Birmingham Cityâ€™s troubled season continues after they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Burnley at St. Andrews. Young striker Tony Morley and his forward partner Leighton James were on target for the visitors.

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Another First Division side knocked out are Queens Park Rangers who lost 2-0 in a West London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage; John Margerrison and Gordon Davies grabbing the all-important goals. Everton were also beaten by a lower league side losing 2-1 at Sunderland. A Gary Rowell penalty and a Bob Lee goal made it a famous night at Roker Park; Martin Dobsonâ€™s goal proving just a consolation for high-flying Everton.

West Ham United suffered a giant killing at the hands of Fourth-Division Newport County at Somerton Park. Howard Goddard and Eddie Woods were the heroes for the Welsh side, Bryan Robson getting a consolation for the Hammers.

The holders Ipswich Town suffered a scare at Portman Road before eventually overcoming Carlisle United 3-2. Kevin Beattie, Arnold Muhren and John Wark (penalty) got the goals for Bobby Robsonâ€™s men, Mick Tait and David Kemp replying for the visitors.

Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday could not be separated after 1-1 extra-time draw at Highbury in a third-round replay. After last weekendâ€™s draw at Hillsborough, the Third-Division side took the lead in the first-half thanks to a goal from Rodger Wylde, but Liam Brady rescued the Gunners to force yet another replay which will take place at Leicester Cityâ€™s Filbert Street next Wednesday.

FA CUP RESULTS â€“ MONDAY JANUARY 8:

Swansea City 0-1 Bristol Rovers (White)

TUESDAY JANUARY 9:

SECOND ROUND REPLAY:

Rotherham United 2-1 Barnsley (Gwyther, Phillips; Forrest o.g) (FULL MATCH PROGRAMME BELOW)