A spirited performance from an unfamiliar Oxford line-up ended in defeat for Chris Wilder's side, despite total domination in the first half. Four times Southend goalkeeper Daniels was called into action as The U's hammered the home side, in the opening 45 minutes to no avail. United were hit by a sucker punch two minutes into first half injury time when centre-half Phillips headed home a free-kick. Oxford equalised in the second half when Damien Batt headed home a Peter Leven cross. Just a few minutes later though, The Shrimpers took the lead again when Ryan Hall fired a fine strike into the top right hand corner of United's net.

Final Score: Southend United 1 - 2 OXFORD UNITED