Crewe Alexandra scored at the start of each half to seal a 2-0 victory which brought them a second victory at Wembley in the space of 12 months after success in last season’s npower League 2 play-offs.
Captain Luke Murphy got the ball rolling for Crewe when he broke the deadlock in the sixth minute with an exquisite finish from 18 yards following a well-worked corner routine.
Southend had their moments in the opening period with Ryan Creswell and Tamika Mkandawire both going close for the League 2 side.
But Crewe seized control by adding a second within three minutes of the re-start when good work from Murphy and Chuks Aneke left Max Clayton with a simple tap-in.
Southend attempted to launch a late rally with Britt Assombalonga having an effort disallowed for offside while Bilel Mohsni saw an effort cleared off the line by Harry Davis.
Barry Corr also went close for Southend but it was Crewe – for whom Clayton almost added a third with a curling effort – who hoisted aloft the trophy amid joyous scenes.
The official attendance at the match was 43,842.