Swansea City 1 Southend United 2

Indeed there is no doubt that neither of them will be disappointed with this showing which, after a terribly dull first half, saw the visittors dominate proceedings after the break. It's very rare for Southend to chalk up a victory in Wales - something seems to always go wrong as soon as the Shrimpers set foot over the border - but this win is United's third successive on the road and the unbeaten away run now stretches to an impressive five matches.

Southend, playing in their brand new red third shirts, started the match well but the first half never really got going and the opening chance didn't arrive until the 22nd minute when Che Wilson, making his full Shrimpers debut, saw a shot deflected wide of goalkeeper Brian Murphy's post.

Nippy striker Daniel Nardiello, on loan to City from Manchester United, flicked a James Thomas cross wide at the far post before, just seconds later but at the opposite end, Tes Bramble nodded a Mark Gower corner off target.

The best chance of the first period arrived six minutes before the break when, somewhat out of the blue, midfielder Jonathan Coates drove a low shot against the outside of the post. The half however ended on its highest note, but Southend were saving their best for the second period.

The Shrimpers got their momentum going just eight minutes after he re-start when Wilson stabbed a David McSweeney cross into the arms of Murphy before a Gower centre found Bramble who took a touch before driving a low shot at the Swans custodian.

Substitute Lee Trundle, the home sides top scorer, headed wide of Darryl Flahavan's post from close range on 63 minutes before Bramble stung Murphy's hands from 25 yards.

Southend really stole the initiative though when, on 70 minutes, they took the lead. Gower made one of many skillful and pacey runs down the left flank before sending a low cross into the path of Bramble. The big striker saw his initial mis-hit effort pushed out by Murphy but managed to drive in his shot at the second attempt.

The match had only just kicked-off again when Jim Corbett nipped through the defence before chipping a shot inches over the crossbar, but the lead was duly doubled on 78 minutes. Once again it came from Gower, who's low cross this time found Bramble again, but the ball was in-turn knocked into the path of Corbett who drove home an angled shot from 15 yards.

A fantastic move involving Neil Jenkins and Gower then saw the latter knock the ball just wide before, in the final minute, Swansea grabbed a goal back with what was ultimately their only effort on target, Nardiello finishing off a neat run with a curling low shot past Flahavan.

However, three minutes of injury time was easily nogotiated and the 37 travelling Southend supporters were left emphatically applauded their side off the pitch and into the Area Quarter Final. The draw will be made this Saturday morning, live on Sky Sports 'Soccer AM'.