Brown was restricted in his team selection due to injuries and ineligibility. It meant that Tsoumou played up front on his own in a 4-5-1 formation which now means Preston have pretty much gone through every formation in the book this season.
The five man midfield saw Nicholson in an advanced role with Ashbee protecting the back line which consisted on Morgan and Carlisle. In fairness, Southend rarely troubled Preston in the opening exchanges with Preston's newest keeper having a trouble free first half an hour.
The Whites had a lot of early possession with Tsoumou using his strength to good effect although the lack of support was telling as Preston failed to create many clear cut chances.
A break in the deadlock should have come when Coutts was tripped in the box. With Alexander on the bench and only one striker on the pitch it fell to Nicholson to take the penaly which was blasted well over and is probably still rising as I type this report.
You just knew it was going to be one of those days for Preston as nothing seemed to come off although they looked the more competent of the two sides in the first period.
The visitors came more intot he game after the break forcing a save from the Preston keeper and having a few long range efforts. Southend could sense that Preston were getting nervous as the game progressed but ultimately could not find the quality needed to find a way through Preston's defence.
Brown will be happy with the clean sheet but without his three main strikers he will be wary that Preston may struggle to find the back of the net when they return to league action.