So the returning from suspension Bilel Mohsni found a place on the bench after all, however Blues boss Paul Sturrock did make three changes as Ryan Leonard, Jean-Paul Kalala and Neil Harris all return to the starting line-up.
Kalala and Leonard replace the suspended Anthony Hall and Ryan Hall who sit this one out with a one match ban, while Bomber is preferred to Blair Sturrock who is also dropped down to sub, where he joins youngster Merrick James-Lewis.
At the start all seemed calm, but slowly but surely the Shrimpers took control as the tall hitman Liam Dickinson, who was turned down by the Millers after a short trial, showed them what they were missing, along with a hard working midfield, the changes worked for Luggy, and a commanding display by the central defenders.
JP Kalala particularly was oustanding in front of the back four, they shall not pass, while Timlin made Swindon boss Di Canio look foolish in letting him leave the County Ground, wonderful passing and two sublime strikes.
In fact, it was surprising that the teams reached the break with only Peter Gilbert’s 10th-minute strike from the edge of the area after a Shrimpers corner fell loose the difference in scoreline, if not in actual performance.
Timlin gave a hint of what was to come when a fine 20 yarder forced from Millers keeper Conrad Logan into a good save, and Dickinson failed to score after a great through ball by Harris.
Former striker Alex Revell, Rotherham skipper for the day and not going to see the success against the Blues he enjoyed with Orient earlier in the season, did shoot wide on the turn, but that that was about it for the home side during the first 45.
And it only got worse for the second!
The Millers were being squeezed out of the game, not being able to find any space or time on the ball as the work rate of the Essex boys remained high.
Finally, after only three minutes back on the pitch, a scoreline that reflected the state of the game. Dickinson played the ball down the right touchline winning a throw-in which Leonard launched, Johnny who, in to the penalty area, and after a weak clearance by Raynes for Rotherham, Timlin was first on the ball to unleash a fine volley inside the far post.
And it was from another long throw on the hour that the Shrimpers sealed the points after Harris had just missed out on doing so, Timlin again finding the back of the net, this time from the edge of the area, smacking home a cracker past the unfortunate Millers custodian.
Revell kept working hard for the hosts, however, to put the icing the cake for the travelling faithful, around 245 of them in a overall attendance of 3,433, was to be Bomber's first goal in a Southend shirt.
Four minutes after the third Leonard drilled in a low, hard cross from the right, finding Dickinson to set up Harris from close range, who after 14 years of scoring goals for fun just doesn't miss these, he didn't.
There was even time to send on the youthful James-Lewis for his Shrimpers debut.
Job done; bring on the Shrews under the lights for second v third on Friday, the reward for the winners, going top of the league, a mouthwatering prospect!
Southend United player markings: Morris - 7, Clohessy - 6, Barker - 8, Phillips - 8, Gilbert - 7, Leonard - 8 (James-Lewis 79 - 5), Kalala - 8, Ferdinand 6, Timlin - 9, Harris - 7, Dickinson - 8.
Referee: Mr. G. Salisbury - 7.