So Blues Boss Paul Sturrock decided to return to his 'A' team of strikers in the shape of Barry Corr and Blair Sturrock, and as predicted Luke Prosser moved over to centre-back to give the old man Graham Coughlan a well deserved rest and Peter Gilbert slotted in at centre-back after his one-match ban.
Winger Ryan Hall sent Louie Soares to the bench, while Rhys Evans took over the goalkeepers jersey from usual No.1 Glenn Morris as the nights entertainment began at Roots Hall, with the prize for the winner, a Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Area Semi-Final place.
Both former Shrimpers Simon Francis and Alan McCormack started for the Addicks, while sadly for Shrimpers season card holder Charlie, his son Paul Benson was on the subs bench.
It had to be decided this evening, and a 28th minute goal by Therry Racon gave that prize to the visitors from South London, just but it was enough.
The Addicks, fifth in League One, had the majority of the possession and played the smarter football, however shots on target were equal and the Essex boys held their own for large parts of the game.
The winner came after a period of Charlton presure, Bilel Mohsni had just cleared well from a Johnnie Jackson corner, when Racon found the ball at his feet on the edge of the box and he struck a stunning shot past Evans into the top left corner of the net.
Racon followed this up with another effort from 20 yards just after.
Josh Simpson did have a shot for the home side on 37 minutes, and then Barry Corr saw his effort comfortably save by Addicks keeper Rob Elliot.
Just before the break Blues had to clear their lines on a couple of occasions, once after a typical Francis outswinging corner reminded the Blues faithful of what they were missing, but finished strongly with two long range efforts by Hall and Anthony Grant.
And Hall was at it again as the second half began, his shot going wide left.
The returning Gilbert then blocked a Lee Martin free-kick, then the ever-busy Moshni cleared a Johnnie Jackson set piece.
On 60 minutes Addick midfielder Jose Semedo was lucky not to be sent off, that would have helped, for yet another serious challenge on Anthony Grant, who is having to get used to such treatment, and sadly it seems to be working, his goals have dried up.
Time for the Shrimpers to get in on the act, Blair Sturrock shoots from 12 yards as the hour mark approached, Elliot saves well.
Six minutes later a hopeful effort by Craig Easton went wide left, repeated up the other end by Kyel Reid and the same result to the right, then back again and Gilbert with another shot from long distance, another wide left!
In the 67th minute QPR loanee Antonio German came on for Sturrock, and soon after Louie Soares was to replace the tiring Craig Easton, while Sofiene Zaaboub was thrown on in place of Hall who could bnever recreate Saturday's magic at Macclesfield, that inconsistancy thing again.
It was a last throw of the dice by Luggy and it didn't work this time though Prosser had a shot, off all people!
Sadly for the Shrimpers the referee called time with no equaliser and possible penalties with the South Londoners just two games from Wembley, while the home side have to rely on beating Macclesfield in next week's replay and a decent FA Cup run.
Southend player markings: Evans - 6, Clohessy - 7, Gilbert - 6, Mohsni - 6, Prosser - 6, Simpson - 6. Grant - 6, Easton - 6 (Soares - 76 - 5), Hall - 6 (Zaaboub 83), Sturrock - 5 (German 67 - 6), Corr - 6.
Refferee - Mr. G. Hegley - 6.
Winger Ryan Hall sent Louie Soares to the bench, while Rhys Evans took over the goalkeepers jersey from usual No.1 Glenn Morris as the nights entertainment began at Roots Hall, with the prize for the winner, a Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Area Semi-Final place.
Both former Shrimpers Simon Francis and Alan McCormack started for the Addicks, while sadly for Shrimpers season card holder Charlie, his son Paul Benson was on the subs bench.
It had to be decided this evening, and a 28th minute goal by Therry Racon gave that prize to the visitors from South London, just but it was enough.
The Addicks, fifth in League One, had the majority of the possession and played the smarter football, however shots on target were equal and the Essex boys held their own for large parts of the game.
The winner came after a period of Charlton presure, Bilel Mohsni had just cleared well from a Johnnie Jackson corner, when Racon found the ball at his feet on the edge of the box and he struck a stunning shot past Evans into the top left corner of the net.
Racon followed this up with another effort from 20 yards just after.
Josh Simpson did have a shot for the home side on 37 minutes, and then Barry Corr saw his effort comfortably save by Addicks keeper Rob Elliot.
Just before the break Blues had to clear their lines on a couple of occasions, once after a typical Francis outswinging corner reminded the Blues faithful of what they were missing, but finished strongly with two long range efforts by Hall and Anthony Grant.
And Hall was at it again as the second half began, his shot going wide left.
The returning Gilbert then blocked a Lee Martin free-kick, then the ever-busy Moshni cleared a Johnnie Jackson set piece.
On 60 minutes Addick midfielder Jose Semedo was lucky not to be sent off, that would have helped, for yet another serious challenge on Anthony Grant, who is having to get used to such treatment, and sadly it seems to be working, his goals have dried up.
Time for the Shrimpers to get in on the act, Blair Sturrock shoots from 12 yards as the hour mark approached, Elliot saves well.
Six minutes later a hopeful effort by Craig Easton went wide left, repeated up the other end by Kyel Reid and the same result to the right, then back again and Gilbert with another shot from long distance, another wide left!
In the 67th minute QPR loanee Antonio German came on for Sturrock, and soon after Louie Soares was to replace the tiring Craig Easton, while Sofiene Zaaboub was thrown on in place of Hall who could bnever recreate Saturday's magic at Macclesfield, that inconsistancy thing again.
It was a last throw of the dice by Luggy and it didn't work this time though Prosser had a shot, off all people!
Sadly for the Shrimpers the referee called time with no equaliser and possible penalties with the South Londoners just two games from Wembley, while the home side have to rely on beating Macclesfield in next week's replay and a decent FA Cup run.
Southend player markings: Evans - 6, Clohessy - 7, Gilbert - 6, Mohsni - 6, Prosser - 6, Simpson - 6. Grant - 6, Easton - 6 (Soares - 76 - 5), Hall - 6 (Zaaboub 83), Sturrock - 5 (German 67 - 6), Corr - 6.
Refferee - Mr. G. Hegley - 6.