Southend recovered their poise to twice come from behind and complete an impressive 3-2 win over Vitesse Arnhem.
The Dutch opponents provided a solid test for the Blues, but a controlled performance that showed the team's attacking penetration was key to the final outcome at Roots Hall.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce provided the game's first goalbound action when his 20 yard free kick was aerobically tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen.
Vitesse stole a march at the other end of the field in the 16th minute when a low corner allowed the ball to creep to the far post via a misdirected shot and Fred Benson was on hand to finish from just a few yards out.
A left-foot shot from Lewis Hunt deflected just shy of the post with both teams not afraid to push forward and apply the pressure.
Yu Hai may have added to the visitors tally, but having broken free inside the box he could only divert the ball narrowly wide of the left-hand post.
The Blues were back on level terms after 32 minutes when Zoltan Liptak got off the mark with his first goal for the club after rising highest to head Campbell-Ryce's corner into the top corner and beyond the outstretched arm of Velthuizen.
As half time approached Benson appeared on the verge of collecting a brace when he ghosted into the box to head goalwards, but Collis was able to tip the ball behind.
Southend were straight out of the blocks after the break with Franck Moussa fashioning a low strike that was only kept out by the foot of Velthuizen.
Yet it was still Vitesse who had their shooting boots fastened with Santi Kolk latching onto a through ball from Onur Kaya and planting it beyond the grasp of Collis inside 55 minutes.
Three minutes later though and the Blues equalised after Campbell-Ryce played an interchange pass with Charlie MacDonald before his low shot was kept out by Velthuizen, but Richie Foran was on hand to arrow home the rebound.
A fine piece of skill and vision from Gary Hooper proved the final undoing of Vitesse when the young striker beat Velthuizen to the ball, but struggling for an angle he was able to quickly look up and spot Lee Bradbury inside the box to slot the ball into an empty net.
As it was, Kerrea Gilbert could have added his name to the scoreline after coming on as a second half substitute with a 15 yard strike that cracked against the bar, but Southend will now travel to Crawley Town on Saturday further high on spirits.
Southend: Collis, Hunt (Gilbert 46), Barrett, Liptak, Wilson (Hammell 68), Campbell-Ryce (Black 62), Bailey (Lokando 90), Moussa (Maher 68), Foran (Gower 68), Paynter (Bradbury 46), MacDonald (Hooper 62).
