Still, it was good to see any Southend side take the pitch after the goings on of the week and the youthful eleven, only keeper Ian Joyce a senior player in the first team squad, did a sterling job, especially in the goalless first half which they actually shaded.
In fact Justin Clayton's header hitting the bar just after the restart could have given the away side the lead, however it was the Bowers and Pitsea that scored what turned out to be the winner only 14 minutes from the end.
A route one attack was headed up in the ar by Clayton, Joycey came off his line quickly sensing danger, but sdaly hit the ball directly into Nicky Judd and turned to watch the ball roll into the back of the net.
There was a lot of effort shown in the remaining time by the youthful Shrimpers, bar Tilly of course, but it was not to be.
Southend United: Ian Joyce, John Owinja, Justin Clayton, Callum Whittaker, Adetayo Osifuwa, Steve Tilson, James Merrick-Lewis, Marcus Milner, Kyle Asante, Harry Crawford, Craig Calver.
Subs: Duane O'Archie, Jamie Stevens, Teddy Nesbitt, James Dunn, Julian
Okai.