SOUTHEND United’s under 18 side were seen off 2-1 by Luton Town in a top of the table clash on Saturday.

The league leaders fought back from a goal down to see off the Shrimpers at Boots & Laces.

But Blues boss Ricky Duncan was still pleased by his side’s performance.

“It was a really good game between two really good teams and I thought we played well,” said Duncan.

“Obviously it’s not nice to be beaten and the lads were disappointed but I’ve not really got any complaints.

“Performance wise we did ourselves justice and we still have to go to Luton later on in the season so hopefully we can overturn this defeat then.”

Both teams flew out of the blocks at the weekend and sent early crosses into the penalty area, but it was indicative of the excellent defending on show that neither troubled the respective goalkeepers.

However, the Hatters were increasingly dictating the pattern of play, and a powerful aerial attempt just before the quarter-of-an-hour mark required Josh Bexon to palm the ball over the crossbar at point-blank range.

After the break, Blues were far more of an attacking force and they opened the scoring on the hour mark with Dan Walker again on target.

Renei Batlokwa started the successful move, strolling through the midfield before threading the ball down the inside-right channel for Damani Dias.

The Luton defence hesitated as they appealed for offside, and that allowed the winger to square the ball to Walker who had the simplest of tasks in tapping the ball past goalkeeper Liam Gooch.

But, the lead was to last just seven minutes, as Freddie Hinds unleashed a left wing cross which Blues left-back Tom Clifford diverted into the back of his own net.

As the match approached the final 10 minutes, both teams still believed they could win and an increasingly open encounter switched from end-to-end.

However, it was the visitors who bagged a late winner with Hinds rifling home an 86th minute shot via the underside of the crossbar.

Southend United U18s: Bexon, Bwomono, Clifford, Bedford, Mackenzie, Salami, Wabo, Batlokwa, Walker, Phillips, Dias (Gard 63)

Subs not used: Macree, Matthews, Musselwhite & Ripsher

>BLUES have been drawn away to Barton Rovers or AFC Dunstable in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.

The Shrimpers have also been drawn at home to Bournemouth in the quarter finals of the Youth Alliance Cup.