A dreadful game at Roots Hall, which offered little entertainment, saw Southend take all three points thanks to strikes from Nicky Bailey and James Walker.

The pre-match entertainment, which consisted of Eurovision singer Andy Abrahams, proved more entertaining then the game, as both sides showed little quality.

Luton lacked cutting edge in attack and ideas in midfield, and were saved by a heavier defeat by some fine goalkeeping from Dean Brill, who enjoyed a good game despite an error which gifted Southend's second goal.

The Hatters made three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Walsall last weekend with Steve Robinson, Alan Goodall and David Bell all returning.

Robinson replaced Stephen O'Leary, who has been suffering with illness, whilst Bell returned at the expense of Dean Morgan, who had completed a move to Crewe Alexandra on Friday.

Sol Davis was surprisingly missing from the 16-man squad as Keith Keane was handed the captain's armband despite Chris Perry and Matthew Spring starting in the Hatters side.

Southend, who had received a major boost during the week after they received the go-ahead into their public enquiry for a new 22,000 seater stadium, handed midfielder Hai Robson-Kanu's first start of the season.

The Shrimpers also named a familiar Luton face in their 16-man squad with Anthony Grant amongst the Southend substitutes.

After a lacklustre start from both teams, it took eight minutes for the first opportunity to arrive when a well worked free-kick almost saw the Hatters take the lead.

A Robinson free-kick out to Keane on the right saw the Hatters defender tee up Bell for a shot, but the midfielder failed to connect with the half volley, as Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan made a comfortable save.

Southend responded immediately as the home-side were foiled by some solid Luton defending on 12 minutes. A Mark Gower corner caused confusion in the area and when the ball broke to Charlie Mulgrew, the midfielder had his shot cleared off the line by Richard Jackson.

As the ball broke out, Robson-Kanu had an effort blocked by Jackson before Simon Francis popped up from defence to force Brill into a save at his near post.

But the first half turned out to be a complete non show from both sides, as the atmosphere inside Roots Hall could be compared to a Sunday church service.

Southend came close on 34 minutes when a Robson-Kanu header was cleared off the line by Keane, before a Peter Clarke effort was gathered by Brill at the second attempt.

It didn't look as though either side were capable of breaking the deadlock, but some sloppy Luton defending gifted the home side the lead on 37 minutes.

A left wing run and cross from Walker resulted in a deep cross to Tommy Black, whose volley across the face of the goal fell into the path of Bailey, who prodded past Brill from close range.

The home side could have doubled their advantage just four minutes later when Black's first time effort, was kept out by a full stretched save from Brill.

AT HALF TIME: SOUTHEND 1 V 0 LUTON

The second half showed no signs of any improvements as both teams struggled to contend with the windy conditions.

The first chance of the second half didn't arrive until the 60th minute when a Gower cross from the left was met by the head of Franck Moussa, but the midfielder was denied from six-yards, by Brill's save.

In a desperate bid to turn things around, boss Mick Harford threw caution to the wind and introduced prolific youth team goalscorer Ryan Charles, for his first senior appearance for the Hatters.

Paul McVeigh tried his luck from distance on 64 minutes, but his 25-yard effort failed to trouble Flahavan.

But despite plenty of effort from both teams, there was little in terms of goal mouth action, in a game that showed little quality.

Gower could have sealed the win in the closing stages of the game when, with five minutes remaining, the midfielder struck the side netting after being put in the clear by Walker.

Southend did add a second right at the end when, deep into stoppage time, a back pass from Spring, had Brill rushing out of his goal, but his poor clearance fell straight to Walker, who rounded the Hatters goalkeeper a shot into an unguarded net. 

AT FULL TIME: SOUTHEND 2 V 0 LUTON

Southend: Flahavan, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Gower, Robson-Kanu (Scannell 74), Black, Mulgrew, Moussa (Grant 83, Hunt 90), Bailey, Walker

Subs not used: Hunt, Collis, Liptak

Bookings: None

Luton: Brill, Jackson, Perry, Keane, Spring, McVeigh, Bell, Goodall, Robinson (Charles 62), Furlong (Parkin 81), Talbot (Andrew 72)

Subs not used: Beavan, Currie

Bookings: Jackson (33)

Referee: Mr R Lewis

Attendance: 8,241 (455 from Luton)