It was Oxford that took the lead in this latest Totesport.com Combination match in the 26th minute after a corner forced two excellent saves by Shrimpers keepr Rhys Evans, the U's skipper Jimmy Sancare forced the ball over the line from close in.
The far more experienced Oxford team then went on to dominate the first half with the home side feeding on sraps and not creating much.
Even after the break it was still the Oxfordshire side's seconds that saw most of the ball but slowly Southend started making some chances and were rewarded with an equaliser just before the hour.
A free kick 40 yards out saw one of the players who had seen first team action, winger Louie Soares, find George Smith quickly and he curled a wonderful effort into the top right hand corner to celebrate signing a scholarship contract with the Blues this week for next season.
Kyle Asante then showed what he can do with a good strike well saved by U's shot stopper Simon Eastwood.
The match ended though with Oxford in possession and nearly claiming victory when defensive errors forced Evans to gratefully scramble the ball clear for a corner which a relieved Shrimpers reserves eventually cleared to hang on for their hard fought for point.
A more detailed report available on the official site at:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/
ReserveNewsDetail/0,,10444~2322149,00.html
Southend United: Evans, Furlonge (Paxman 78), Nesbitt, Woodyard (Stevens 58), Obazie, Baucutt, Boyle (Bouzid 58), James-Lewis, Smith, Asante, Soares.
Subs not used: Auger, Ofori-Achampong.