Unfortunately the match, despite Southend showing an improved performance, was no better than the dull encounter witnessed at the Vetch Field, however Darryl Flahavan was called into action early on as a bad mistake by Rob Newman saw the United manager completely miss the ball and Flahavan came to the rescue to deny giant striker Julian Alsop after six minutes.
Just a minute later a great run and cross by Brian Barry-Murphy found Tesfaye Bramble in space, however the Blues striker who has been struggling in recent weeks scuffed a shot wide of Steve Book's goal from the edge of the penalty area.
The next action, after 25 minutes saw Flahavan make a fine save, diving to his right, to stop Chris Banks' long range drive.
Stuart Thurgood then prised open the Cheltenham rearguard with a fantastic ball to Bramble who cut inside before firing a deflected shot wide of the post.
Mark Rawle shot well over from a tight angle and Tony Naylor also blazed wide for the home side.
As half time approached Alsop stabbed a left wing cross just wide before Rawle was presented with a glorious chance in first half injury time. Having latched onto a pass from Bramble, and with only Book to beat, Rawle poked a poor shot straight into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper from 15 yards.
The second half saw very little action, but bizarrely brought both goals of the game.
Cheltenham took the lead in the 51st miunte with a goal Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan will want to quickly forget. Naylor sped down the left wing before tapping the ball across goal to Lee Howells who's weak shot somehow wriggled through the arms of Flahavan and into the net to give the home side a fortunate lead.
As both sides huffed and puffed they were finding it difficult to create anything in what were very trying conditions, but Southend eventually forced a leveller with only seven minutes left to play. A Barry-Murphy corner wasn't properly cleared and Leon Cort headed the ball to Bramble who's flick-on fell perfectly for Newman to fling himself in the air to volley home from inside the six yard box.
Just a minute later United nearly grabbed a lucky winner as Book only just kept out Thurgood's wickedly deflected shot, but following consecutive defeats, United will be glad to get back amongst the [points prior to Saturday's long haul upto Hartlepool.