League
Ricky Duncan named Coskun Ekim in midfield as the Tottenham Hotspur Academy product made his first start for the Under-18 side, an achievement matched by defender Louis Bocott who impressed with his long throw-ins.
Anthony Furlonge was named at right-back having become the latest Blues youth-team product to be linked with possible Premier League interest, this time in the form of Fulham and Manchester City.
There was a return between the posts for Daniel Bentley, who was relieved of deputising duties for Steve Mildenhall in the first-team by fit-again Kelvin Jack.
However, the former Arsenal goalkeeper was beaten within four minutes of the start as Posh took the lead courtesy of a header after a cross from the left-hand side.
Southend responded well and Duane Ofon-Acheampong fizzed a shot just past the left-hand upright in the 14th minute, whilst Julian Okai fired inches wide of the opposite post seconds later. At the other end, Bentley was able to shepherd a couple of wayward efforts out for goal-kicks either side of the half-hour mark.
With seven minutes remaining in the opening period, Blues drew level with much of the good work undertaken by dangerous wide-man Marcus Milner.
The Shrimpers had missed the second-year scholar's presence in recent weeks following a red card against Queens Park Rangers, but he burst to prominence in this match as a good run down the right culminated in a fine cross which Alex Woodyard converted for his first goal in Southend colours.
A minute later, captain Merrick James-Lewis set Milner up for a fierce shot across the face of goal before the same combination resulted in a shot blocked out for a corner two minutes before half-time in the last threatening action of the opening period.
There was a frantic start to the second half as both Okai and Milner delivered dangerous free-kicks which were dealt with by the Posh 'keeper.
Bentley was also called upon to make a smart save, but he was powerless to stop the visitors regaining the lead ten minutes after the interval.
Adetayo Osifuwa was adjudged to have hauled down an attacker in the penalty area after Blues lost the ball in the centre of the pitch and the spot-kick was directed just out of the reach of the former Arsenal youngster.
A Bocott throw caused confusion in the Peterborough box as Southend sought a quick response, whilst Okai's corner was headed at the 'keeper.
Duncan's team were then dealt a blow midway through the half when Ofon-Acheampong was upended, injuring his ankle in the process. Jamie Dennis joined fellow substitute Rhys McKay on the field, with Okai narrowly missing the target with the resultant set-piece.
Unfortunately, the hosts' prospects were hindered further on 72 minutes when Bentley was left rooted to the ground by a Posh set-piece, leaving Blues staring at a two-goal deficit.
That lead was reduced, though, within six minutes when Teddy Nesbitt also broke his goalscoring duck by lobbing a free-kick of his own into the area, with the ball eluding everyone, including the Peterborough custodian.
The Shrimpers began to pile the pressure on with another replacement, George Smith, thwarted by a goal-line clearance before Bocott was dragged down in attempting to attack a corner six minutes from the end to hand the homesters a penalty.
Jamie Dennis stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way from twelve yards and haul his side level at 3-3.
Unfortunately, Southend were unable to hold onto the point as they surrendered possession in an attacking position and were hit on the counter-attack three minutes later.
During five minutes of additional time Blues sent a number of balls into the penalty area, but all were repelled by the visiting defence, resulting in a fifth defeat in six matches during 2010 for the Shrimpers, who now travel to Brentford this Saturday.
Southend United: Daniel Bentley, Anthony Furlonge, Teddy Nesbitt, Merrick James-Lewis (George Smith 77), Louis Bocott, Adetayo Osifuwa, Alex Woodyard, Marcus Milner, Coskun Ekim (Rhys McKay 67), Duane Ofon-Acheampong (Jamie Dennis 68), Julian Okai.
Substitute not used: James Stevens.
Goals: Woodyard (38), Nesbitt (78), Dennis (85 pen).
Thanks to the Shrimpers Trust website for the reprinting of these reports, for the Trust's own youth section, go here:
www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/home.asp?page_id=10