It might have only been a 30 minute cameo by Damien but he may have played himself into the first eleven for next weeks opening League fixture as long as he's fit.
Wycombe was a hot and muggy place as Southend ended their pre-season campaign with a deserved win over Peter Taylor's side.
Anthony Grant was at the ground but did not take any part in the game though rumours that he will sign when some contractual details with Chelsea are ironed out remained strong.
A welcome return to boring old 4-4-2 was noticed as the Pink Panther was spotted taking the diamond formation plans out of the changing room before the kick off.
Blues boss Tilly was happy with the teams work as he told the official site, "It was nice to go into the season with a 2-1 win. It was a hot day again, but we played some good stuff in the first half. It was pleasing to score two goals from set pieces and it gave us a good footing."
He continued, "In the second half, I felt we tried to be honest and we had to be protective and make substitutions. I don't know how bad the injuries are yet, we will have to wait and see. Damien Scannell stiffened up around the groin area and James Walker hurt his thigh. Barney hasn't trained for a couple of weeks and hopefully he has come through OK."
In the first half Southend served up some good stuff with Damien Scannel oustanding until a repeat of that troublesome groin injury forced him off after the first half hour.
It only took two minutes for us to go one up. A Bailey free kick being headed home by an unmarked Captain Adam.
A corner taken by Franck Moussa led to Paul Furlong's first goal in open play when in the 40th minute he headed powerfully into the bottom corner past Wycombe keeper Jamie Young.
Walker and Bailey both went close either side of half time.
Substitutions and the heat took their toll in a quieter second period and Wycombe got back in the game when Magno Vieria tapped the ball in after a good work from the wing.
Mildenhall not being able to do much about the goal, poor defending which we really need to stamp down on after the last two seasons, and overall had a good match with plenty of vocal encouragment and advice for those in front of him!
The Bailey-Mooose partnership is still a work in progress but Nicky looked as if he was close to his best while Franck had a quieter 90 minutes so needs to up his game with the opening league fixture only 7 days away.
Trailist Lewis Emanuel, the latest potential player for the troublesome left back spot, looked lively and made some good runs. Why not, he's from Luton so he must be going cheap. Sorry, it's not the wages. (But he is shorter than Clapham!)
However, though the home side made a couple of decent chances, the Blues held on for a postive result and a much better performance that should put them in good heart for the all important Peterborough game next Saturday.
SOUTHEND: Mildenhall, Francis, Clarke (Sankofa 46), Barrett, Emanuel, Scannell (Revell 29), Bailey, Moussa, Walker (Herd 87), Furlong (Ademeno 72), Barnard (O'Keefe 62).