Wanderers were on the case in the first four minutes of this match when Craig Faulconbridge sent a fierce ball across the face of goal but Nathan Tyson, racing in at the far post, could not quite arrive quickly enough to put a shot past Bart Griemink in the visitors' goal.
It wasn't all one-way traffic though as Southend had several possibilities to score before Wayne Gray found the best opportunity.On 9 minutes, the powerful-looking Shrimper belted a ball towards the home end that forced Frank Talia into making a diving save to keep his goal in tact.
The visitors made Wanderers pay for their disappointing defending on 17 minutes when Freddy Eastwood shot after a mistake from the Blues' defence and sent a wonderful effort under the flailing Talia.
Gorman's men could have had the equaliser on 24 when Danny Senda sent a beautifully weighted ball to the back post that, unfortunately, both Faulconbridge and Tyson failed to connect with.
Gray again caused problems in the home defence moments later as he once more attempted a vicious shot that Talia blocked superbly with his body to avoid further damage before the half-hour.
The leveller nearly came for Wycombe on 35 when Faulconbridge blasted a header that hit the underside of Griemink's bar and had appeared to have crossed the line.Referee Melin, however, decided the ball was still in play and deemed the attempt not to be a goal.
H/T: Wycombe 0 - Southend 1
A half-time substitution for the Shrimpers saw Lawrie Dudfield replace Mark Gower but the change didn't make any difference in the opening stages of the second half.
There were a few half-chances, particularly for the visitors with Eastwood causing all kinds of problems in the Wycombe back line, but neither side could break down the other for their respective much-wanted goals.
Wanderers almost had the opportunity to claim that goal when defender Mike Williamson headed a spectacular attempt goalwards but, just as the home fans were cheering the equaliser, the effort crashed against the post and remained in play for Southend to clear the danger.
The Chairboys continued to press their visitors, continually pumping the ball into their half, but they couldn't find what was required to level the scoresheet.
Gorman made his first change of the match ten minutes from time, replacing Stephen Cooke with Clint Easton, who was returning after a lengthy period out with a nasty knee injury.
This turned out to be the only alteration in personnel and it wasn't one that paid any dividends for the Blues as they went down to the solitary goal from the Shrimpers.
F/T: Wycombe 0 - Southend 1
Attendance: TBA
Official MOM: Mike Williamson
Website MOM: Tony Craig
