Brown hails Southend character

Southend manager Phil Brown was as surprised as anyone by Michael Timlin's match-winning strike against Luton.

Timlin's 25-yard shot somehow evaded Hatters goalkeeper Elliot Justham with just nine minutes to go at Roots Hall. But the effort, which moved the 10-man Shrimpers up to third in the League Two table, was missed by Brown. "I was looking at Adam Barrett and Cian Bolger to get back into position when people suddenly started jumping on me," said Brown. "Dave Penney and Graham Coughlan were the first two but when the club doctor joined in as well I thought something must really have happened here. "We've shown great grit and determination to win the game and maybe the bit of bad luck we had with the red card turned itself into some good luck with the goal. "It's obviously a mistake from their goalkeeper and do honestly feel for him because I think a point would've been enough for them and the play-offs. "But we've got ourselves into a great position now and I'll be easy to spot doing the London Marathon tomorrow as I'll be floating five foot higher than everyone else." Southend are now two points clear of fourth-placed Bury heading into the final game of the season at Morecambe next weekend. But they rode their luck early on against Luton as their former loanee Elliot Lee fired wide of the right post from close range after just two minutes. Southend hit back with Barry Corr heading Timlin's right wing cross straight at Justham. However, the Shrimpers' hopes were hit hard by the dismissal of Coker in the 67th minute for bringing down Shaun Whalley. The Shrimpers fought back and bagged the only goal of the game in the 81st minute when Timlin's long range shot somehow evaded Justham and trickled into the back of the net. Luton came close to equalising when Scott Griffiths saw a well struck 20 yard volley tipped over by Bentley whose save secured Southend a seventh straight win and an eight successive clean sheet. However, Luton boss John Still felt his side should have taken something from the game. "I don't think we deserved that and I feel for the goalkeeper because he's come in this season and done really well for us," said Still. "Sometimes games hinge on mistakes and unfortunately that's happened today but there's no blame being put on him by me."