Luton Town 2 : 0 Southend United - Hatters ease past Southend

Posted Sunday, October 12, 2014 by PA

First-half goals from Alex Lawless and Mark Cullen saw Luton comfortably beat Southend at Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters had the lead after 17 minutes when Lawless, making his first start of the season, cut into the box and curled a lovely effort beyond Shrimpers 'keeper Daniel Bentley.

Lawless almost teed up a second only for Bentley to intervene but the second did arrive on 34 minutes when the Southend 'keeper and defender Cian Bolger made a hash of their clearances.

Andy Drury picked up the loose ball and fed Cullen, who slotted home his fourth goal of the campaign.

The visitors barely threatened in the opening half, Will Atkinson's volley straight at Luton 'keeper Mark Tyler their only chance of note.

In the second period, Southend threw on Barry Corr and Jack Payne as they improved in the early stages, with Payne shooting off-target and Ryan Leonard firing a decent chance wide too.

The visitors saw assistant boss Dave Penney sent to the stands after shoulder barging Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, but Luton couldn't increase their lead, with Lawless and Scott Griffiths both firing into the crowd as the hosts climbed to fourth in the table.