The Bedfordshire side, who currently top the Coca-Cola League Two table by six points, followed the Shrimpers out of the machine as the eighth side in the First Round Proper draw. The last meeting between the two sides was in December 2003 in the LDV Vans Trophy area quarter-final, when Blues emerged triumphant by three goals to nil.
The two sides also met in 2001/2 in this competition, whilst the Hatters were still in the old Third Division along with Southend. Again it was the hosts that emerged triumphant, with Mark Rawle and Tesfaye Bramble the goalscoring heroes, with the latter grabbing an acrobatic scissor kick just minutes from time to seal a dramatic 3-2 win.
The Seasiders have a good record in recent years in what is the world’s most prestigious cup competition. Last season Scarborough, the surprise package, defeated Steve Tilson’s men 1-0 in a Third Round replay when Chelsea awaited the victors, whilst despite a 3-2 defeat (again in replay) to AFC Bournemouth, United have also reached the third round, losing to Tranmere Rovers (3-1 at home) and non-League Kingstonian (1-0 at home).
The match is to be played over the weekend of Saturday 13th November, although due to the recent history between the sides, and the good recent League results, SKY television or BBC Sport could conceivably choose to screen the match.
Full First Round Proper Draw
Tiverton Town vs. Doncaster Rovers
Wycombe Wanderers vs. Liversedge or Coalville Town
Cambridge City vs. Leigh Railway Mechanics Institute
Southend United vs. Luton Town
Mansfield Town vs. Colchester United
Hayes vs. Wrexham
Yeading vs. Halesowen Town
Barnet vs. Bath City
Aldershot Town vs. Canvey Island
Blackpool vs. Tamworth
Billericay Town vs. Stevenage Borough
Slough Town or Salisbury City vs. Walsall
Darlington vs. Yeovil Town
Bury vs. Vauxhall Motors
Hinckley United or Burton Albion vs. Torquay United
Worksop Town or Alfreton Town vs. Macclesfield Town
Scunthorpe United vs. Chesterfield
Forest Green Rovers vs. AFC Bournemouth
Stafford Rangers vs. Chester City
Swindon Town vs. Sheffield Wednesday
Bristol City vs. Brentford
Leyton Orient vs. Dagenham & Redbridge
Southport vs. Hereford United
Bristol Rovers vs. Carlisle United
Exeter City vs. Grimsby Town
Bradford City vs. Rushden & Diamonds
Peterborough United vs. Tranmere Rovers
Notts County vs. Lymington & New Milton or Woking
Milton Keynes Dons vs. Lancaster City or Scarborough
Thurrock vs. Oldham Athletic
Northampton Town vs. Barnsley
Histon vs. Shrewsbury Town
Hartlepool United vs. Lincoln City
Rochdale vs. Oxford United
Stockport County vs. Huddersfield Town
Port Vale vs. Kidderminster Harriers
Halifax Town or Leek Town vs. Cambridge United
Hull City vs. Morecambe
Cheltenham Town vs. Swansea City
Boston United vs. Hornchurch
League Two sides in turquoise
Essex non-League sides in bright green
Robert Craven