SOUTHEND United’s under-18 side made it four wins in a row with an eventful 8-3 win at Luton Town.

The Shrimpers triumphed despite having to put centre-back Miles Mitchell-Nelson in goal for the final five minutes after substitute keeper Callum Taylor was sent off.

And Blues’ academy manager Ricky Duncan was delighted with the display.

“To go to Luton and win takes some doing,” said Duncan.

“It was very close for the first 20 minutes but then it was goal after goal.

“It was one of those games where everything clicked for us and everything went wrong for them.

“I can’t take anything away from our performance because I thought we dominated the game.”

Blues went into the clash just a point above the Hatters in the league table.

And Duncan has been pleased with the team’s season so far.

“It’s been good,” said Duncan.

“We had a little patch where we were a little bit indifferent but they’ve got their act together now.

“They’re a good squad and they’ve been scoring a lot of goals.

“I’m pleased with the way they’ve progressed.”

Matt Rush set the Shrimpers on their way midway through the first half before three goals in 10 minutes – by Jon Benton, Mitchell-Nelson and Charlie Kelman – stretched the lead to four before the break.

Rush’s 10th youth team goal of the season was backed by Freddy Eastwood’s brace and a stunning Terrell Egbri finish in the second half to round off the triumph.

The Hatters scored three times in the final 15 minutes and were helped by Taylor’s dismissal on his debut after the Northern Ireland youth international was red carded for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Southend United U18s: Seaden (Taylor 75), Chandler, Osimeh, O’Stewart (Brogan 65), Mitchell-Nelson, Knock, Egbri (Dabbs 67), Benton, Kelman, Rush, Eastwood

Substitutes not used: Biler & Mpangea

>Southend United have been drawn away to either AFC Rushden & Diamonds or Leyton Orient in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.

The two teams play tomorrow night and the winners must take on Blues before November 3.