Sadly Kane Ferdinand was not passed fit enough to start at the Globe Arena Saturday afternoon but Blues boss Paul Sturrock showed no hesitation in naming winger Ryan Hall only 48 hours after being released from jail and granted bail.
The surprising change was made in midfield where Louie Soares has replaced Lee Sawyer as the Shrimpers decide on a 4-4-2 formation, not sure about this but time will tell, I suppose it's good Louie gets some game time in case Ryan is back under lock and key come next Thursday's hearing!
Not much to tell at the start between the away side with one defeat in ten and the Lancashire lads with only one win in the same number of games, though that was last week 2-0 at runaway leaders Chesterfield!
So has the tide turned for the Shrimps to keep them ahead of the play-off chasing Shrimpers?
Well, it was Morecambe's busy striker Danny Carlton who headed just wide of goal in the 11th minute, followed by Stewart Drummond striking wide of Southend keeper Rhys Evan's right hand post.
On the 19th minute Shrimpers top scorer Barry Corr didn't help matters by getting booked for a deliberate handball. Not the first time that's happened!
Player to watch for the home team, loanee Kevan Hurst, was making himself a nuisance in the middle and sure enough, as Morecambe started to gain greater possession, it was from his corner two minutes before the half-hour that his side took the lead.
Chris McCready rose above everyone to head home from close range, where was the marking though?
As ever Anthony Grant was getting fouled on a regular basis, must be close to 150 for the season by now, but bar a Barry Corr header in the six-yard area from a Sean Clohessy cross soon after the goal, United were making no clear cut chances.
Instead the Shrimps continued to press and James Spencer shot wide left.
Some late Southend pressure before the break saw the usual hard working Hall delivering crosses and corners but to no avail, and Soares even got a shot in, easily saved by Morecambe keeper Barry Roche.
HALF-TIME: Morecambe 1 Southend United 0
Southend United: Evans, Clohessy, Coughlan, Barker, Gilbert, Soares, Grant, Easton, Hall, Sturrock, Corr
Subs not used: Morris, Comminges, Asante, Crawford, Sawford, Prosser & Woodyard.