The match officials were the busiest team in this evenings JPT clash at the Kassam Stadium Tuesday evening.
Blues boss Paul Sturrock decided to make three changes for the tie, only four days after beating the U's 2-1 to go two points clear in League Two.
Bilel Mohsni replaced Mark Phillips in the back four while Anthony Grant has been named in central midfield which meant Michael Timlin pushing out on to the left.
Ryan Hall then joined another recall in Blair Sturrock upfront with both Neil Harris and Liam Dickinson dropping down to the subs bench.
It all kicked off, not literally, that came later, when there was a clash of heads early on with both Timlin and the home side's Steve Kinnsburgh receiving lengthy treatment and the former having his head fully banaged!
However, on only 15 minutes the Essex boys found themselves one up and Oxford one man down!
A fast break, a through ball from Sean Clohessy sets free inside forward Hall, out comes reserve keeper Wayne Brown making his home debut, to handle the ball outside his area, straight red!
Shocked looks by the remaining home players on the field as there is no shot stopper on the bench, midfielder Asa Hall in the end deciding to do the honourable thing and takes the shirt!
And it all turned out to be a waste of time, Brown might as well as let him through as Ryan Hall scored directly from the free-kick for his fourth successive opening goal for his club!
The U's Hall, the one now in goal, is soon called into action as he saves Kane Ferdinand's header from close range, doing even better moments later when getting in the way of a Ryan Leonard drive.
The Shrimpers were now dominating possession as expected with the odd break out of defence from the home side, but with no realk chances for either side the referee blows for half-time.
The attendance is announced as 2,415 with a fine 317 finding their way from Southend.
On 56 minutes the game takes a decisive turn with mass handbags breaking out after Simon Heslop went into our Kane with a tough tackle, which ended up with referee Phillips, who had already sent off Bilel Mohsni against Gillingham in September, showing two more reds, to Snoop Dog and Tommy Cradock.
19 players left on the pitch then!
Not much happening now, as Luggy decided to swap Dickinson for Sturrock and Sawyer, welcome back lee, for Leonard.
Daniels reminds us what a good custodian he is when rushing off his line he denies Smalley and as Franks follow up Mohsni gets his big frame bravely in the way to stop any chance of a shock equaliser.
Another effort by Franks only a couple of minutes later, a low drive this time, allows Luke again to strut his stuff diving to push away any danger.
If this sounds an exciting cup tie, it's not, but it does allow me to write, with five minutes left on the clock, Hall saves from Hall.
Oxford were visibly tirering now, and the whistle blew with the Shrimpers in the next round of the Trophy with Luggy's dream of Wemberley, Wemberley, still alive.
Gilbert, Sawyer & Hall all received a yellow card for various incidents.
Draw, including Barnet, Brentford and Swindon in our section, as usual on Saturday morning on Sky Sport's SoccerAM.
At least we have a rest from the U's now, unless there's a shock draw in the FA Cup, and we win both our first round ties, until we return to Oxfordshire on the penaultimate weekend of the season, when both clubs will be hoping their next campaign will be played in a higher league.
Southend player markings: Daniels - 7, Clohessy - 7, Mohsni - 7, Barker - 6, Gilbert - 6, Leonard - 6 (Sawyer 75 - 5), Ferdinand - 6, Grant - 5, Timlin - 7, Hall - 8, Sturrock - 5 (Dickinson 63 - 5).
Referee: Mr. D. Phillips - 6.