Northampton Under-18's overturned a two goal deficit to draw level by half-time and eventually go on to win 3-2, with half the usual Shrimpers side on the bench at Southampton!
Team manager Ricky Duncan had no choice but to bring in a number of under-16's against a strong looking Cobblers side.
However, Duane Ofon-Acheampong opened the scoring with a firm header after only two minutes following a great cross by Terry Nesbitt, and that as doubled as trailist Hicham Abdellah scored from close range.
Sadly, the Shrimpers eleven couldn't hold on and by the break Northampton were level with goals by Will Green and Josh Urquhart.
They bravely held out until five minutes from time, though Mark Withers had missed a penalty for the Cobblers, when the winner was scored from close range by George Dukes.
Boss Ricky told www.southendunited.co.uk: "Heading is an area we have been working on Duane's game and telling him he needed to get better at that for the size of him and it was a good goal. In the end I was disappointed with the goals we gave away, but I was pleased with the performance."