Luton ended a difficult week with a hugely important victory against Southend United.

It was a win that lifted some of the gloom around Kenilworth Road having had ten points deducted after going into administration on Thursday afternoon.

Calvin Andrew popped up with the only goal of the game, heading home from close range, with just 16 minutes remaining.

But Luton were also thankful to Dean Brill who kept his side in the game with a string of fine saves, including a penalty stop from Matt Harrold.

With Chris Perry out through suspension, Luton gave Keith Keane his first start in over two months and was given a role on the right side of the Hatters defence.

Paul Furlong's injury meant Paul McVeigh and Andrew continued in attack leaving Drew Talbot having to be content with a place amongst the substitutes.

Dave Edwards returned from international duty with Wales, after making his first senior appearance for his country, but Steve Robinson was missing through injury.

Southend boss Steve Tilson made three changes from the side which drew with Cheltenham last week as Gary Hooper, Nick Bailey and Garry Richards all returning to the fold.

The opening almost saw Southend take an early lead when, after Luton struggled to clear their lines, Adam Barrett ventured forward to drill a long range effort past Dean Brill's far post.

But that was as good as it got for both teams. Luton's loyal supporters were desperately trying to urge their team on, but the Hatters started slowly out of the blocks.

That was until the 13th minute when the home side almost took lead. Richard Jackson found space on the left and his first time cross found the head of Dave Edwards, who came desperately close as his effort looped over the head of goalkeeper Steve Collis and crashed against the crossbar.

After the rebound fell to the feet of Andrew, the young striker managed to fizz over a cross, which Edwards failed to connect with from eight yards.

It was certainly an effort that brought the game into life, but when Southend was awarded a dubious penalty five minutes later, Luton were left deflated.

Barrett's cross from the left saw Jackson take an awkward touch and after losing control of the ball, he brought down Hooper with a tackle from behind.

Luton were furious about the decision to award the spot kick, but Brill kept his side on level terms as he dived low to prevent Harrold from opening the scoring.

The Hatters responded immediately with a well worked routine that almost saw Matthew Spring hit the back of the net with a neatly struck half-volley.

It was Edwards' cross from the right that reached Andrew, who chested the ball into the path of the Hatters midfielder, but his strike flashed well over the Collis.

Brill was called into action once again on 21 minutes when the Hatters goalkeeper reacted quickly to tip over a header from Garry Richards from just six yards out.

The game soon opened up and on 28 minutes a well delivered free-kick from the right by Spring saw Marc Wilson direct a free header at the Southend goal, but Collis was equal with the chance.

Luton were dealt a blow with five minutes remaining of the first half as Jaroslaw Fojut was forced off injured, and was replaced by Anthony Grant.

The change meant Keane was pushed inside to partner Chris Coyne at centre-half leaving Grant to play at right-back.

HALF TIME: LUTON 0 V 0 SOUTHEND

Luton started the second half brightly and when Bell fizzed over a cross from the right on 51 minutes, Edwards almost put the home side ahead, but was denied by a brave stop from Collis.

The Hatters continued to cause the Southend defence problems with Bell looking lively down the right.

But it was the visitors who soon went close on 56 minutes when Bailey fired in a first time shot this Brill was forced to tip over the crossbar.

Luton continued to press forward and Keane almost found himself on the score sheet when he bravely directed a flying header beyond Collis reach from Darren Currie's corner.

The game soon became a non-show with few chances for either side as miss-placed passes were frustrating both sets of fans.

It looked as neither side would find a way through, but Kenilworth Road was given a huge relief when, out of nowhere, Luton took the lead on 74 minutes.

A beautifully weighted ball from Jackson down the right released Spring, who managed to get down to the by-line before firing over a cross that was headed home by Andrew into an empty net.

Luton almost doubled their lead moments later when a through ball from Spring released Andrew. With Collis committed, the Luton striker pinched the ball, rounded the keeper, but struck just inches wide of the target from the edge of the area.

Southend had a great chance to snatch an equaliser in the closing stages when Bailey was given room to test Brill, but he fired well wide of the Hatters goal.

AT FULL TIME: LUTON 1 V 0 SOUTHEND

Luton: Brill, Coyne, Bell, Jackson, Edwards, Andrew, Keane, Spring, McVeigh (Currie 59), Fojut (Grant 43), Wilson

Subs not used: Goodall, Hutchison, Talbot

Bookings: Wilson (4), McVeigh (57), Grant (72)

Southend: Collis, Hunt, Clarke, Barrett, Maher, Richards, McCormack, Hammell, Harrold, Hooper (Francis 75), Bailey

Subs not used: Flahaven, Moussa, Gilbert, Lokando

Bookings: Hooper (37), Hunt (57), Clarke (90)

Referee: Mr G Salisbury

Attendance: 6,820 (921 from Southend)