RHYS Evans enjoyed a Southend United debut to remember at Roots Hall last night as Blues ended their Johnstone Paint Trophy woes with a penalty shoot out victory over Gillingham.

Not since 2005 had Southend triumphed in the competition which was previously named the LDV Vans Trophy.

But, after a drab 90 minutes had ended in a 0-0 draw, Blues triumphed 4-3 on sudden death spot-kicks with Evans - a summer signing on a free transfer - saving two of the Gills' six efforts.

That enabled Blair Sturrock to convert the winning spot kick as Southend ended a run of a four successive first round exits.

Chances had previously been few and far between during an instantly forgettable 90 minutes but, with 14 minutes on the clock, Gills midfielder Luke Rooney dragged a 20 yard effort wide of the left post after latching on to a half cleared header from Bilel Mohsni.

Moments later, Cody McDonald nodded a left wing cross from John Nutter just wide of the right upright from close range but Blues soon hit back with Barry Corr having a header from Ryan Hall's left wing cross tipped over by visiting goalkeeper Lance Cronin.

The same combination came close to opening the scoring again in the 23rd minute when Corr headed a Hall free-kick only inches past the left post but both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball and create clear cut chances.

Debutant Adam Bouzid, who was one of just two changes in the Southend starting line-up, livened up proceedings momentarily in the 35th minute when his low drive was blocked by the legs of Cronin.

And Gillingham then also threatened as a low drive from Danny Spiller was cleared from just in front of his own goal by Anthony Grant in the closing action of an uneventful opening half.

In a bid to make the second period more productive for his side, Blues manager Paul Sturrock made two changes at the break with wingers Louie Soares and Sofiene Zaaboub coming on in place of Bouzid and Hall.

But it was still Gillingham who went close to netting after the interval with former Blues Southend skipper sending a well struck half volley from 25 yards fizzing just past the left post.

Nutter then sent a deflected free-kick from a similar distance over the crossbar before Southend replied with Corr heading a right wing cross from Soares straight at Cronin.

That was to be the Irishman's last involvement though as he made way for Matt Paterson in the 64th minute but Southend still struggled to threaten in attack, with Soares firing well wide of the target from long range.

Their best chance came in the 75th minute when Sturrock latched on a misplaced sliding clearance from Gills skipper Barry Fuller.

But, with just Cronin left to beat, Sturrock was denied by the legs of the keeper as his low drive was diverted to safety.

Grant then dragged a 20 yard shot wide of the right post but neither side could conjure up a late winner, meaning the tie went to a penalty shoot out.

Stefan Payne's first effort for the visitors was saved by Evans but, after Louie Soares had scored for Southend, skipper Craig Easton also saw his effort kept out by Cronin.

Four successful spot-kicks followed with Chris Barker and Paterson converting for the home-side who were then boosted by Danny Spiller sending his effort over the South Stand crossbar.

That gave Grant the chance to win the tie for Southend on his 100th appearance for the club but his low shot was kept out by Cronin.

The miss was not to prove crucial though as the next penalty, taken by Jack Payne, was kept out by Evans and Sturrock made no mistake with his spot-kick to send his father's side in to the second round of the competition.