TEN MAN Southend United surged into the automatic promotion places with a heroic 1-0 win against Luton Town at Roots Hall this afternoon.

Blues’ left back Ben Coker was harshly dismissed in the 67th minute of the match.

But the Shrimpers 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 However, the shot-stopper somehow let the effort trickle into the back of the net to secure Southend a seventh successive win.

And, with promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers losing 1-0 at home to Morecambe, Phil Brown’s side moved up to third in the League Two standings.

However, Blues were certainly forced to dig deep against the Hatters and, with two minutes on the clock, the visitors wasted a golden chance to take the lead as former Shrimpers loanee Elliot Lee fired wide of the right post from 10 yards after the ball had broken invitingly into the striker’s path.

Blues soon hit back and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute when Jake Cassidy’s flick from Will Atkinson’s right wing cross was saved low down to his left hand side by Hatters goalkeeper Elliot Justham.

Moments later, Barry Corr’s header from Timlin’s right wing cross was easily saved by the visiting shot-stopper.

Justham then also held a long range effort from Cassidy as the first half ended goalless.

The second period also started tentatively but Blues momentarily threatened with Timlin’s left wing cross striking Corr and flying over the South Stand crossbar.

In a bid to become more of a threat going forward, Shrimpers boss Phil Brown made his first change of the afternoon in the 62nd minute with Jack Payne coming on for Cassidy.

But, five minutes later, Southend’s hopes of winning were hit by a controversial red card shown to Coker.

The left-back brought down Hatters’ substitute Shaun Whalley as he charged towards the right hand side of the penalty area.

However, referee Iain Williamson judged Coker was the last man in Blues’ defence, despite Cian Bolger being in close attendance.

After the dismissal, Southend readjusted with Luke Prosser coming on for Will Atkinson.

Prosser fitted in at left-back but Luton immediately began to make the most of their extra man with former Blues midfielder Luke Guttridge having a close range effort blocked by Bentley.

Southend replied with Corr having a low, 25 yard shot pushed to safety by Justham But Blues continued to attack on the break and somehow opened the scoring in the 81st minute, with Timlin on target.

The Shrimpers midfielder unleashed a tame 25 yard shot straight at Justham but the Luton goalkeeper somehow allowed the effort past him as it trickled into the back of the South Stand net, much to the bemusement of Blues’ players and fans.

A shell shocked Luton replied with Scott Griffiths having a powerful volley tipped over by Bentley.

Southend responded by making their change of the afternoon with Myles Weston coming on for Payne.

And some heroic Blues defending enabled Southend to come out on top to surge into the automatic promotion places.