So Luggy got us going again by making only one change for tonight's cup clash that took the Shrimpers one step closer to that possible magic third round tie, as long as we dispose of Oldham Athletic at home first!
The experince of Neil Harris was recalled upfront as we all expected, but not to give Liam Dickinson a rest, good move there Luggs,but allow midfielder Jean-Paul Kalala to drop down to the bench.
Ryan Hall reverted to wide left, allowing Michael Timlin to return to the centre of midfield and rejoin Kane Ferdinand.
Dickinson was certainly lively from the start when on eight minute his free-kick was pushed away well by the big German keeper for North End Thorsten Stuckmann.
The former Millwall scoring legend Harris has not been in the best of form since joining his home town club but went close in the 18th minute when his header at the back post was parried wide by Stuckmann, while later his volleyed flew over the upright from 20 yards out.
Preston were sick of the sight of keeper Luke Daniels ten days ago in the goalless draw first match and their midfielder Paul Coutts was cursing his luck when the loannee from West Brom diverted his long range effort wide of the left post.
The first half was proving a competitive affair and the half ended with chances at both ends, Mark Phillips for the home side must be wondering if he's in for another long wait after his flurry of early season goals as his header from, where else, a Kall corner, flashed wide.
While the Lilywhites responded with a Danny Mayor strike going close, followed by striker Paul Parry seeing his harshly struck free-kick punched away by Daniels.
The tie though was to be decided ten minutes after the break when Bilel Mohsni, having a relatively quiet evening for him, finding Hall lurking now on the right, he cut inside and his left foot shot was well parried away by Sturkmann.
But before any Preston defenders had time to react Bilel was in like a flash to head the rebound in to the path of Liam Dickinson who from just eight yard out volleyed home what would prove to be the winner.
Drama soon followed though when thought they had equalised when Coutts half volley from Brandon Zibaka’s fine left wing cross beat Daniels but the linesman's flag was raised for offside, we certainly have had our fair share of those calls this campaign.
The Essex boys felt they may have had closed the game with only 20 minutes left Kane Ferdinand's header hit the post from a terrific Hall cross.
On 81 minutes Southend made their first change when Mark Phillips was taken off with a suspected hamstring strain and replaced by JP, hope it doesn't mean that the inform central defenders luck has run out regarding any serious injury.
The away side certainly had a strong final flourish to force the game in to extra-time but it wasn't to be and the Shrimpers march on, fifteen unbeaten now, thirteen of them wins.
Back to the league on Saturday but still at Roots Hall; bring on the Gas men of Bristol Rovers.
Southend Player Markings: (To be posted)
Referee: Mr. D. Deadman - 6.