Blues boss Paul Sturrock selected a side containing just two players left over from last season.

And his new look team showed real signs of promise against the Championship visitors.

That was the despite the Rams opening the scoring with just 11 minutes on the clock as a left wing free kick from Kris Commons was firmly headed home past Blues' trialist goalkeeper Rhys Evans by Rob Hulse from six yards.

Hulse should then have made it 2-0 shortly after as he raced clean through on goal but the striker's low drive was smartly stopped by Evans.

Moments later Derby, who included former Southend youngster Medi Abalimba in their starting line-up came close to making it 2-0 when John Brayford headed a left wing corner from Commons against the top of the crossbar.

Having survived the scare, Blues hit back and almost levelled in the 37th minute when Mohsni Bilel's snap shot was smothered at the second attempt by Rams keeper Stephen Bywater.

Louis Soares then failed to connect with a left wing cross from Ryan Hall when an equaliser seemed certain but it was the visitors who threatened next at the start of the second half as Ben Pringle's right wing corner was nodded against the crossbar by Luke Varney.

But 12 minutes later, Southend drew back level from the penalty spot after Anthony Grant had been brought down inside the area by Luke Varney.

That enabled Paterson to step forward and confidently fire the resulting spot-kick in to the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Southend remained on top and then almost went ahead went Scott Spencer burst in to the box before seeing his low shot diverted around the left post by Rams' replacement goalkeeper Saul Deeney.

Blues new right back Sean Clohessy played the full 90 minutes, as did centre-back Mohsni Bilel, midfielder Craig Easton and winger Ryan Hall.

As well as former Swindon Town keeper Evans between the sticks, Sturrock also again selected trialist centre-back Graham Coughlan, who he managed at Plymouth Argyle and winger Louis Soares.

Former Leyton Orient goalkeeper Glenn Morris played the second half and Sturrock could now attempt to bring him to Blues.