One change for the Shrimpers from the draw with Bristol Rovers, former Latic midfielder Jean-Paul Kalala replaces striker Neil Harris in a 4-5-1 formation, Luggy going for his prefered more defensive line-up against
With not much going on the pitch it's the match official, one David Webb of all names, who is not making himself popular with some strange calls.
Then again Bilel Mohsni makes it easy for him on 11 minutes with a strong challenge on Oldham centre-back Zander Diamond and ends up in the book, far too early for the Frenchman who is getting ever closer to a two-match ban and a chat with the FA.
Diamond has to go off to be replaced by Nathan Clarke.
First real chance though after 20 minutes when a mistake by left-back Peter Gilbert lets in Luca Scapuzzi which has loanee keeper Luke Daniels diving to push his shot wide of the left-hand post.
And he's called on again three minutes later when S24 player-to-watch Shefki Kuqi tries his luck from distance, but a far easier stop this time.
Up the other end the home faithful cheer as just after the half-hour Mohsni heads home from a fine Sean Clohessy cross, but referee Webb has blown for a foul on Clarke by Bilel and it's wiped off. He'll deny it!
Still Southend, and Liam Dickinson has a go, it rebounds off Dean Furman for a corner which Ryan Hall steps up to take but it's cleared easily enough.
Oh dear, 36 minutes and a bad challenge by Mohsni on Paul Black, referee thinks about it yet decides against a second yellow, phew.
Luggy must be thinking of taking him off soon, plenty of options on the bench.
Three minutes after that let-off far worse happens for the Essex boys as Oldham break the deadlock, good work by Kuki leads to James Wesolowski receiving the ball just outside the box to strike hard and high in the middle of the goal.
With the Shrimpers wobbling the Latics could have grabbed another sixty seconds later when Kuki finds himself in space and only Daniels to beat, he goes round the keeper, Chris Barker rushes back to cover the line, and the Oldham top scorer hits it wide!
Relief around three sections of Roots Hall, and the half-time whistle goes with the Blues just one down.
The stats may say 70% possession Southend but with one attempt on goal to the Latics six that tells it's own story, Luggy will have to make changes if the league leaders are going to be included in that magic third round draw, not that a replay will be much welcomed by any of the players!
So, into a delayed second half, an injury to a linesman we're told, where's Jimmy Hill when you need him, with certainly the 347 travelling Latics the happier of the two sets of supporters in the 4,613 attendance.
Luggy brings on Neil Harris and Blair Sturrock for JP Kalala and Dickinson who might be slightly injured, though we need him for Tuesday of course.
And it nearly comes off straight away, as three minutes after the break Hall delivers a peach of a free-kick, and Bomber misses poorly; yes, he's just come on, but he's never looked at his sharpest since signing in the summer.
On the hour David Furman smacks a cracker from 20 yards on to the bar, followed by Ryan Hall picking up a yellow, he's on 8 for the season now, will be getting that break he probably needs soon enough, but not before he.........equalises!
A great through ball by Sturrock on 67 minutes, and it's a race between Latics keeper Alex Cisak and Bilel Mohsni, the shot stopper wins, but the ball lands to the feet of the former Crystal Palace youth, and undoubted star of the Shrimpers squad, whatever West Ham may end up giving us for Ferdy, who lobs it back over his head from thirty yards, brilliant!
Game on, and the Roots Hall crowd at last find their voice, Oldham bring on Filipe Morais for Luca Scapuszzi, blimey where did they get all these names, it's a reporters nightmare, who promptly gets booked!
Trademark free-kick from Hall who is up for it now, Cisak reacting well to turn his 25-yard strike around the left-hand post. The subsequent corner come to nothing.
Latics take off Furman for Matt Smith, that's unfair if you can call on a time lord.
Anyway, it's action at both ends, and with both clubs still in the JPT I'm sure both clubs would like this to be decided this afternoon,
For Southend Harris has a go from the edge of the area but it flies wide left; Oldham, Kuki sees yellow after a foul on Gilbert but goes close with two efforts; Southend, a terrific Hall corner is well cleared by Clarke before his strike from just outside the box goes wide left.
Mark Phillips is then booked for dissent, that's five yellows for him so out for Swindon, as does Michael Timlin for a rather obvious foul on Wesolowski, surprise, who wouldn't have been allowed to play anyway! Was this a conspiracy, Mark was going to be rested?
Up steps Robbie Simpson to take the free-kick awarded for the latter offence, and shots straight at Daniels.
Two minutes remaining, Moshsni heads home, again, but disallowed, again, this time for offside! Close, will need to see it again.
It's going to be a bloody draw, you know it, as four minutes of stoppage time is added.
Sturrock takes a shot, as does Bilel, both saved, Gilbert heads wide, and the referee blows for no side; it's a replay at Boundary Park, more than likely Tuesday week!
That's five games in fourteen days then by the time Bradford visit Friday, December 16th, and the Bantams could find a tired Shrimpers, unless this sequenized yellow cards continues over the next fortnight and half the team gets a decent day off!
The price of success of course, as the side equal the club record of 17 games unbeaten, and in the hat for Sunday's draw, (from 14.40 0n ITV1).
But let's not knock it, remember last year.
Southend player markings (to follow): Daniels - 7, Clohessy - 7, Barker - 7, Phillips - 6, Gilbert - 6, Kalala - 5 (Sturrock h-t - 7), Ferdinand - 6, Timlin - 6, Hall - 8, Dickinson - 4 (Harris h-t - 6).
Referee - Mr. D. Webb - 5.