Not much was seen of trailist striker Bryon Harrison, what he did do he looked OK without ever looking like he would do any serious damage. This was not the best of games for him to make an impression and hopefully the Ashford striker will get another chance when the reserves step out against Stevenage Borough next Tuesday.
15-year-old goalkeeper Luke Chambers, signed on a four year contract after being released by Arsenal, sat on the bench.
It was a surprise that it took 27 minutes for Colchester to open the scoring, Ian Henderson scoring, but after that it was mostly one way traffic.
Then two goals in two minutes sealed the Shrimpers fate. On 40 minutes a great shot by David Fox went in off the right-hand post, on 42 Medi Elito's cross from the left was volleyed home by Henderson.
Kyle Asante went close for Southend early in the second half, while Jamie Dennis had a shot cleared off the line and Duran Reynolds headed wide.
If a goal or two had gone in during this period, who knows, but it was the north Essex side who grabbed another, Elito's shot making it four on 75 minutes.
This broke the back of the Blues Two's and Simon Hackney's shot hit the bar while Jordan Sanderson somehow shot wide when one-on-one with keeper Daniel Bentley.
However, there was some comfort for Southend when Harry Crawford, a 67th minute substitution for Craig Calver, headed home with five minutes left.
With a minute remaining though it was Colchester who made it a nap hand when Bentley could only watch as his fine save from Craig Arnott fell nicely on to the head of Simon Thomas.
Southend United: Bentley, Sankofa, Herd (Osifuwa), James-Lewis, Clayton, Reynolds, Asante, Dennis, Harrison, Calver (Crawford 67), Freedman (Milner 77).
Suns not used: Chambers, Whittaker
Colchester United: Cousins, Maybury, Batth, Hamilton, Knudson (Sanderson 46), Elito (Arnett 89), Fox, Coccoran, Hackney, Thomas, Henderson.
Subs not used: Cussack, Rafter, Ekim.