NOBODY knows quite how Michael Timlin’s match-winning strike ended up in Luton Town’s net at Roots Hall on Saturday.

But nobody connected with Southend United particularly cares either!

For collecting another three points in a crucial clash and maintain the push for automatic promotion was all that mattered for the in-form Shrimpers.

And Phil Brown’s side dug deep to make sure that is exactly what happened.

With so much at stake and with immense pressure on the outcome of the game for both sides, it was never going to be a day for free-flowing, attacking football.

But nobody could have anticipated the drama that did eventually unfold.

Blues were territorially on top after surviving an early scare when their former loanee Elliot Lee had wasted a fantastic opportunity to score in the opening exchanges.

However, just as the Shrimpers began to look far more of a threat in the final third, their hopes were hit by a dubious red card shown to left-back Ben Coker.

Referee Iain Williamson adjudged Coker to have been the last man when he brought down Luton substitute Shaun Whalley but the verdict seemed incredibly harsh with Cian Bolger seemingly in close proximity to where the challenge was made.

Coker’s dismissal cast doubt on Blues’ chances to collect the victory they needed to remain in touch with the top three.

But, after a few minutes of uncertainty and readjustment, the Shrimpers stood firm to continue their new found level of resilience.

With Adam Barrett inspirationally making clearance after clearance on what could prove to be his final Roots Hall appearance and Cian Bolger winning a succession of headers, Blues were able to secure a remarkable eighth clean sheet in a row.

The run of shut-outs is now the best in the club’s history, eclipsing the previous best set in 1969.

And it is that resolute rearguard action which has revived the Shrimpers’ season.

Back in March, Blues seemed destined for a play-off finish at best following a painful defeat at fellow high-flyers Burton Albion.

But the Shrimpers have now gone 12 hours without conceding a goal and are now also starting to get the breaks at the other end of the pitch too.

Timlin’s last minute winner at Exeter City seemed a pivotal moment of the season along with David Worrall’s free-kick at Bury and Timlin’s bizarre effort against Luton Town can now be added to the list.

The influential midfielder was perfectly entitled to unleash an effort at goal, given the circumstances of the game, but 99 times out of 100 the shot would easily have been saved.

Yet somehow or other on Saturday, Timlin’s shot evaded Elliot Justham much to the disbelief of most of Southend’s players, fans and managerial staff who had already turned away expecting the resulting clearance.

But with subsequent cheers beginning to increase in volume, it soon became apparent the shot had squeezed past Justham.

And the embarrassing error could have huge significance on Southend’s season.

The win, which was Blues’ fifth 1-0 victory in their last six games, moved them up to third in the table for the first time this season and suddenly made them favourites for automatic promotion.

However, lying in wait this weekend is a Morecambe side the Shrimpers have yet to beat in their nine previous meetings in the league.

But, with a return to League One at stake, there will never be a better time for Blues to end the hoodoo.

And, after the breaks that went there way on Saturday, you do have to feel this could well prove to be a season to remember for the Shrimpers.