Shrimpers earn vital winTen-man Southend United surged into the automatic promotion places with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Luton Town at Roots Hall.Shrimpers went down to 10 after left back Ben Coker was dismissed in the 67th minute of the match for a foul on Hatters substitute Shaun Whalley.But Southend dug deep and secured all three points with Michael Timlin bagging a bizarre winner nine minutes from time.Timlin's 25-yard shot was fired straight at Luton goalkeeper Elliot Justham, but the shot-stopper somehow let the effort trickle into the back of the net to secure Southend a seventh successive win.The loss means Luton's play-off hopes are now all but over barring a huge swing on goal difference on the final day of the season.However Phil Brown's side are now two points clear of Bury in fourth place after a run of eight clean sheets in a row, and can secure automatic promotion with a win at Morecambe next weekSource : PA
Source: PA