 This was the fourth time that the two teams had met in 2009/10, and the Lions hold over Ricky Duncan's youngsters continued as they secured a fourth win that maintains their own championship charge. After a goalless first half, substitute David Adedipe and forward John Marquis were amongst the scorers as Millwall emerged stronger in the second.
Blues were again missing Harry Crawford, with the striker scoring on his full debut for the first-team, as well as Daniel Bentley and Julian Okai who made the bench for the Coca-Cola League One clash with Stockport County.
Despite that, Duncan was able to name an team full of scholars, with the exception of Under-16s shotstopper Luke Chambers, and they matched their South London opponents during a high-tempo opening period.
The first real opportunity arrived in the eighth minute when captain Merrick James-Lewis drifted in from the left-hand side and curled an inswinging shot towards the top right-hand corner of the net, with only a fingertip save denying the midfielder.
After a quarter-of-an-hour, Kane Ferdinand was forced to throw himself into the path of a Marquis shot to block the ball out of play for a corner, and from the resultant set-piece both Chambers and Duran Reynolds were called upon to keep out shots from the front man.
Duane Ofon-Acheampong was unfortunate not to get enough of a touch onto Marcus Milner's right-wing centre to divert it inside the left-hand upright and the same pairing combined with Ofon-Acheampong drifting out to the left to create space for the winger to arrow a 25-yard shot into the gloves of the goalkeeper.
Marquis remained a threat at the other end and he set up the visitors' right-sided wide man for an effort that lacked purchase, with the same player following up by chipping straight into Chambers' hands.
Possession continued to be hard-fought and chances began to come at a premium, with Callum Whittaker next to fling himself into the path of a shot to send it out of play. Reynolds swung a cross into the opposite penalty box in the 33rd minute and, when George Smith's attempt was blocked, Teddy Nesbitt arrowed a skimming shot at the Millwall custodian.
The half ended with a Lions attacker flashing his shot past the left-hand post in stoppage time, and it was to prove a portent of things to come after the interval as the same player saw a further effort rebound out to a midfielder, who half-volleyed wide.
Chambers claimed a diving header from a corner with an element of comfort before Milner's long-range piledriver easily cleared the crossbar on the hour mark.
Within two minutes, Millwall were in front. Southend were slow to react to a swiftly-taken free-kick and substitute Adedipe latched onto the ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area to shoot past Chambers with the aid of a deflection off of the boot of Reynolds.
Coskun Ekim was brought on to try and bring some additional flair to the midfield, but it was Millwall who netted next to extend their lead on 77 minutes. Again the through-ball came from their captain, with Marquis this time able to hold off Whittaker and fire into the bottom left-hand corner.
Hicham Abdellah was next to be introduced for Blues, and he very nearly scored with his first touch as he drilled Ofon-Acheampong's pass goalwards, only for the 'keeper to gather the ball at the second attempt.
That pre-empted the third goal as a midfielder received possession on the right-hand corner of the penalty area and curled an innocuous shot towards the bottom right-hand corner. Chambers appeared to gather the ball at his bootlaces, but the assistant referee signalled that it had crossed the line and the Shrimpers were further behind.
The former Arsenal youngster made a smart stop from another substitute in the last minute, and Ferdinand came close to scoring when his fierce shot was deflected over in stoppage time, but Southend will now travel to Northampton Town next week looking to end the season on a high.
Southend United U18s: Luke Chambers; Adetayo Osifuwa, Callum Whittaker, Kane Ferdinand, Duran Reynolds; Marcus Milner (Fope Coker 82), Merrick James-Lewis, Alex Woodyard (Coskun Ekim 70), Teddy Nesbitt; George Smith (Hicham Abdellah 78); Duane Ofon-Acheampong.
Substitute not used: Anthony Furlonge.
Cautioned: Smith (45+1 - delaying the restart of play), Reynolds (80 - foul tackle).
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