Swindon are out of the LDV Vans Trophy after goals from Dudfield and Nicolau send The Shrimpers another step closer to another Cardiff final.

Swindon Town Boss Andy King started the LDV Vans Trophy Area Semi-Final tie by introducing a change of formation and personnel to his side.

In came David Duke and Rory Fallon with Luke Garrard and Steve Jenkins (cup tied) making way for a change of formation as Town switched from the 4-5-1 formation deployed at Griffin Park to a more adventurous 4-3-3.

Town kicked off heading away from the Robins supporters and immediately set about stamping their authority on the game with Lee Holmes operating in an advanced position alongside Sam Parkin and Rory Fallon.

For the home side former Swindon striker Wayne Gray lined up alongside Lawrie Dudfield in the Shrimpers front line.

The first real move of the match came after just five minutes when an interchange of passing between Duke and Holmes saw the latter float a deep cross into the box, but it was too close to home keeper Darryl Flahavan who claimed with ease. Rory Fallon then set-up Grant Smith three minutes later for a shot on the edge of the box but Spencer Prior blocked the Scotsman's shot to negate any danger.

Southend launched their first meaningful attack on 13 minutes when a cross from Che Wilson was met by Carl Pettefer but his shot was blocked by Grant Smith on the edge of the six yard box. The home side then came the closest out of either side to scoring on 22 minutes when a cross from the left from Kevin Maher was stabbed just wide by Lawrie Dudfield from eight yards out. Just minutes later good work from Gray and Maher saw the ball find its way out to Mark Bentley, but his audacious chip from 25-yards fell just over the bar with Evans on hand to watch it sail over.

The home side were having the lions share of possession and making the most of it. On 25 minutes Lawrie Dudfield laid the ball off to Adam Barrett but his effort fell just wide of the post. Dudfield then had another golden opportunity after beating Heywood, but again his shot flashed narrowly wide.

At the other end Swindon tried to put themselves into the game and could have opened the scoring when a cross from Miglioranzi was met by Sam Parkin inside the box, but his header fell straight into the hands of Flahavan. On 27 minutes Matt Hewlett then saw his customary 25-yard effort fly well wide and into the home fans behind the goal.

Southend launched another attack just after the half hour mark with the game once again wide open. A low cross from the left from Adam Barrett was turned over his own bar from Jerel Ifil with the home strikers Gray and Dudfield lurking with intent. The resulting corner from Nicky Nicolau caused no danger as it fell aimlessly out of play from the set piece.

The home side took the lead on 36 minutes after a defensive mistake from Jerel Ifil. A ball through from Kevin Maher was contested by Dudfield and Ifil but the former Watford defender failed to clear to leave Dudfield clear in on goal. The striker then advanced into the box from the left before chipping the advancing Evans. Despite the best attempts of David Duke whose efforts to retrieve the ball were in vein as the ball rolled into the net.

In response Town rallied upfield but before the half was out only managed several crosses into the box which were claimed with ease, once again, by Flahavan. The added one minute of time petered out without Swindon making any telling impression as the half ended with Town a goal down.

Half-Time: Southend United 1 Swindon Town 0

Swindon emerged for the second half knowing that they would have to show more enterprise if they were to progress in the competition. Soon after the break Sean O'Hanlon surged down the right and his ball inside found Miglioranzi. He collected the ball but after cutting inside 30-yards from goal lost control of the ball and the danger was cleared.

Southend for their part were eager to double their advantage and Lawrie Dudfield latched onto a through ball from Hunt but his shot from 12-yards was blocked by Rhys Evans. Wayne Gray then saw his header tipped over by Evans on 51 minutes with the Town keeper by far the busier of the two number ones.

At the other end Swindon had a looping header from Matt Hewlett cleared off the line by Spencer Prior two minutes later. A neat interchange of passing between Hewlett and Smith on 55 minutes saw Parkin with some time on the edge of the area, but he could not keep control of the ball as Southend cleared. Sean O'Hanlon then saw his close range shot blocked from the angle by Nicolau.

On 64 minutes Town were awarded a free-kick after a foul on Rory Fallon 25-yards out. Grant Smith and Stefani Miglioranzi stood by the ball with Smith stepping up to curl a low left foot shot just wide of the right hand post.

Town Manager Andy King made his first change of the night on 69 minutes as he replaced Lee Holmes with Spurs loanee Jamie Slabber, who took his place alongside Parkin and Fallon.

Ifil then surrendered a corner on 73 minutes and the resulting corner from Nicky Nicolau found its way straight into the back of the net after squirming under Evans and missing the mass of bodies to make it 2-0.

Brian Howard was then introduced as a replacement for David Duke. The contrast was clear with the Southend supporters cheering every pass, whilst the Town fans behind the goal tried raise morale - whilst some voiced their displeasure.

Jamie Slabber had his first effort of the evening on 77 minutes as his turn on the edge of the area produced a shot which fell into the arms of Flahavan. On 82 minutes Nicky Nicolau found his way into the area after beating Miglioranzi on the left hand byline, but after trying to set-up Carl Pettefer - the ball was claimed by Evans.

Stefani Miglioranzi then dragged an effort wide two minutes later with the Town fans once again voicing their displeasure behind the goal.

As the fourth official signalled three minutes of added time Jamie Slabber's deflected shot found its way to Rory Fallon eight yards out. Fallon saw his shot well saved by Darry Flahavan, his first real save of the night. On 92 minutes Nicky Nicolau hit a shot from the edge of the area which was tipped behind by Evans, with the resulting corner cleared by Smith.

As the referee signalled the end of the game, Town's dream of a trip to Cardiff was ended by a resilient Southend United who seemed more determined to take the game from the start. It was a disappointing night at Roots Hall - with Swindon now left to contemplate a home encounter with Stockport County on Saturday.

For home side Southend United - a trip to Cardiff is very much a reality.

Southend: Flahavan, Barrett, Prior, Hunt, Wilson, Maher, Pettefer, Nicolau, Eastwood, Dudfield, Gray (Eastwood)

Subs: Jupp, Kightly, Holloway, Eastwood, Bramble

Swindon: Evans, O'Hanlon, Heywood, Ifil, Duke (Howard), Miglioranzi, Hewlett, Smith, Holmes (Fallon), Parkin, Fallon

Subs:Book (GK), Howard, Reeves, Garrard, Slabber

Attendance: 4,270 (302 from Swindon)