FORMER Southend United manager Steve Tilson still gets goosebumps recalling the Shrimpers’ 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

Eleven years ago today, a last gasp equaliser from Peter Clarke saw Blues finish all square with the Premier League giants in the third round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge.

And Tilson will never forget the noise which greeted Southend’s late goal.

“When I think back to that day I think about the noise after we scored and it still gives me goose-bumps even now,” said Tilson.

“I think we have about 6,000 fans there in the upper tier behind the goal we scored in and it was just incredible when we scored.

“It was brilliant and as a one off game I would say it was second to only the Manchester United game during my time with Southend.”

Chelsea, who included Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba in their starting line-up, opened the scoring in the 31st minute minute when Salomon Kalou headed home.

The Shrimpers replied late on with Clarke heading home a long throw from Johnny Herd.

But Blues only secured a replay thanks to a stunning late save from Steve Mildenhall who somehow kept out Franco Di Santo's close range header.

"I remember thinking when we scored that the final whistle was going to go but we carried on and Mildy made an unbelievable save," said Tilson.

"If that had gone in after the high of us scoring we would all have been absolutely devastated but it was a top drawer save and it was just a really memorable day all round.

"The players really dug in and deserved a lot of credit because it was a very strong side Chelsea side.

"They certainly didn't put out the kids."

And Tilson still has his own memento from the third round clash.

"I'm not sure if I'm supposed to have it but I kept the team-sheet that gets in handed in and was signed by Phil Scolari who was Chelsea's manager at the time and myself," said Tilson.

"The Chelsea players were really good too. I remember a few of them came into our dressing room after the game to say well done.

"But we won't mention the replay because we lost!"

Southend United: Mildenhall, Sankofa, Clarke, Barrett, Herd, Grant, Christophe (Moussa 74), McCormack, Stanislas, Barnard (Freedman 75), Revell (Laurent 75).

Subs Not Used: Joyce, Francis, Betsy, O'Keefe.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Ferreira, Carvalho, Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Belletti, Lampard, Mikel, Joe Cole (Di Santo 84), Kalou (Sinclair 87), Drogba.

Subs Not Used: Hilario, Mineiro, Anelka, Mancienne, Sawyer.