LIAM Dickinson fired Southend United to a shock 1-0 win over League One Preston North End in an FA Cup first round replay at Roots Hall tonight.

Dickinson came close to being rested for the clash due to Blues’ forthcoming flurry of fixtures.

But he was fresh enough to react sharply at the start of the second half as he tucked home a close range volley to extend Southend’s unbeaten run to 15 matches.

Dickinson fired out an early warning of what was to come when his eight minute free-kick was parried to safety by Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann and, just moments later, the recalled Neil Harris failed to make contact with a downward header from Bilel Mohsni when in a promising position.

Harris went closer to opening the scoring in the 18th minute when his back post header was pushed around the right post by Stuckmann and the experienced striker was soon involved again as he volleyed just past the same upright from 20 yards.

Preston immediately hit back with midfielder Paul Coutts unleashing a powerful long range shot which Blues goalkeeper Luke Daniels did well to divert wide of the left post.

But Southend responded with Mark Phillips heading a left wing corner from Ryan Hall just wide at the near post before the visitors again threatened with Danny Mayor shooting just inches off target after a bright burst down the left flank.

With Preston still pushing forward Paul Parry then had a right wing free-kick punched just past his own goal by Daniels in the closing action of an equally contested opening half.

However, Southend stood firm and bagged what proved to be the game’s only goal in the 55th minute with Dickinson bagging his eighth goal of the season.

Mohsni was heavily in the move which led to the breakthrough as he played the ball out to Ryan Hall on the right flank.

Hall cut inside on to his left foot and had a curling shot pushed out by Stuckmann.

But Mohsni reacted quickest to the rebound and headed the ball in to the path of Dickinson who volleyed home from eight yards.

Preston were then denied an equaliser by the assistant referee’s flag as he ruled out a Coutts’ half volley from Brandon Zibaka’s left wing cross before an unmarked Craig Morgan headed over a Barry Nicholson corner.

Having survived the scares, Southend almost doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Kane Ferdinand headed a left wing cross from Harris against the outside of the right post Blues were forced in to a change 11 minutes later with Jean-Paul Kalala coming on for Phillips.

However, Paul Sturrock’s side were still able to hang on to set up a second round tie at home to Oldham Athletic.