Green gives Town point - plus 90 minutes for Benson
A second-half free-kick from Danny Green earned the Town development squad a point against Southend at Kenilworth Road.
The winger curled the Hatters level five minutes into the second half to cancel out Southend’s first half opener from striker Jason Williams.
The Town fielded a strong side, with striker Paul Benson and Green each playing the full 90 minutes but despite finding an equaliser the Hatters couldn’t force a late winner.
Southend took the lead in the 13th minute when a ball from the right was headed home by Williams from six yards.
It was almost 2-0 to the Shrimpers 10 minutes later but goalscorer Williams shot straight at Elliot Justham in the Town goal.
Justham was again to the rescue on 34 minutes when making a sprawling save, before Zane Banton almost equalised four minutes before half-time when his shot from six yards was blocked.
However the Town were level five minutes into the second half when Jake Howells was elbowed in the face on the edge of the box and Green curled past visiting goalkeeper Ted Smith.
The Hatters were beginning to get on top. Benson saw a shot blocked before youth team centre-half Frankie Musonda headed a Green corner just wide on 73 minutes.
As time ticked down the Town huffed and puffed in search of a late winner but the visitors held out and it ended all square.
Academy and development manager Andy Awford told lutontown.co.uk: “In the first half we really lacked fluidity but that changed in the second half.
“We were much better with the ball and played with a higher tempo. We tried to win the game and I thought we dominated the second half but just couldn’t find a way through.”
Town dev: Justham; Parry, Griffiths (sub McJannet 81), Musonda, O'Brien; Justin, Green, Howells, Hall; Benson, Banton (sub Banya 63)
Subs not used: Gooch, Cotter, Murray.
The Hatters dev squad are next in action next week when they travel to Bournemouth on 3rd November. Click here for the full dev squad fixtures and results.