Not since Boxing Day at Norwich City in 2006 had Blues been held to a goalless stalemate in the league and Tilly was disappointed not to be picking up more than a point against struggling Cheltenham.
Speaking to the Southend Evening Echo, Tilly said: "I just felt again that we had enough chances to win the game, but our final ball at times wasn't good enough and if it had have been I think we could've opened them up. It doesn't help having one centre forward out of six available either and if some of them had been available then maybe there might have been a different outcome."
Tilson was forced to field Kevin Betsy up front with James Walker with Dougie Freedman, Lee Barnard, Alex Revell, Francis Laurent and Paul Furlong all absent and now news of Damian Scannell joining the long list.
However, despite being frustrated at failing to make a breakthrough, the Blues manager also tried to remain upbeat: "It's the first clean sheet we've had away from home in quite a while and that's pleasing. We've defended well and it's a decent point. We almost made it three when Rob (Milsom) hit the bar late on but it wasn't to be."
Southend slipped to 10th in the League One standings with the share of the spoils and are six points behind a place in the play-offs.
Attention now turn to the FA Cup this weekend as the Shrimpers host Luton Town in the second round.
And Tilly hopes to have more players to pick from: "You look at the bench and it isn't that strong right now. When everyone is fit, healthy and available we aren't a bad side but we have people missing at the moment. Francis Laurent is back from suspension now and hopefully Alex Revell should be OK too so that's two back at least."
On top of that, Tilson is also looking to complete a loan deal before the window for temporary signings closes tomorrow: "There is one I'm trying to bring in but at the moment the club in question won't let him out. We will keep trying though and will have to wait and see who comes up and what happens."
As for Scannell and his 'dead-leg', Tilly continued: "Damian is out as well at the moment injured. It's hard to believe how many we have out. Francis Laurent is available and I'm planning to keep him away from anyone else in training for the rest of the week to make sure he's OK!"