Henry misses a penalty as Hatters are leapfrogged by Shrimpers

A MISSED penalty from Charlie Henry proved costly for Luton as they lost their reserve clash 1-0 at home to Southend at Kenilworth Road this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

Ryan Auger scored the decisive goal midway through the second half as the Shrimpers leapfrogged Town into top spot, just a point ahead of Luton who have a game in hand.

Hatters named a mixture of youth and experience to face Southend, naming the likes of John Paul Kissock, Dean Beckwith, Henry, Adam Watkins, Craig McAllister, Stuart Fleetwood and Dan Walker in their starting XI.

The Shrimpers dominated the opening stages with Harry Crawford and David Martin somehow unable to force the ball over the line on eight minutes and Auger curled tamely at Lewis Kidd.

The visitors should have opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Auger’s fine cross picked out substitute Shamir Mullings at the far post but Kidd pulled off a great point-blank save.

A forceful run and shot saw Brett Longden fire over midway through, while Watkins dragged an effort well wide.

Longden and Mullings exchanged off-target efforts before good work by Henry saw him lay the ball into Walker’s path, but his disappointing effort flew wide.

Kissock then drew a save out of Jack Payne with his daisycutter as the teams went in all square. Walker created an opening early in the second half for Watkins, but he stroked tamely at Payne.

McAllister then slipped Fleetwood through but, after rounding the keeper, a deflection took his shot narrowly behind.

Fleetwood thudded wide before Kidd pulled off another fine save on 57 minutes when he acrobatically tipped David Martin’s 25-yarder over the bar.

The former Hereford striker had a great chance soon afterwards, but faced with just Payne to beat he wastefully lashed over.

Kidd had to be aware to thwart Martin’s run before Fleetwood’s opportunistic long range blast drew a fine flying save from Payne.

Good work by Martin saw Auger thrash wastefully over the bar before Martin skipped through but could only fire straight at Kidd.

Southend finally took the lead with 20 minutes to go when a free-kick looped off a Luton wall and Lee Sawyer’s improvised flick was swept home by Auger.

A brilliant snaking run from Martin saw him eat up about half the field and beat three players as he rounded Kidd, but he could only flick the post from the narrowest of angles.

Town then wasted a gilt-edged opportunity to score when Kissock was felled by Fulham trialist Jack Dean in the box on 79 minutes. Henry’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by a full-stretch Payne with Walker’s follow-up cleared off the line.

At the other end, Peter Gilbert flicked a header wide while Walker sprinted on to Fleetwood’s ball only to be thwarted by a tackle from keeper Payne.

A McAllister header back was cleared by Robert Hyams with Walker lurking before another McAllister assist was netted by substitute Alasan Ann’s diving header only for it to be ruled offside.

Hatters: Lewis Kidd, Brett Longden, Jerome Jibodu (Nick Burtenshaw 53), John Paul Kissock, Dean Beckwith (C), James Ferguson, Charlie Henry, Adam Watkins (Jerry Nash 71), Craig McAllister, Stuart Fleetwood, Dan Walker (Alasan Ann 87). Substitutes not used: Zak Stephens, Josh Carpenter.

Shimpers: Jack Payne, Jack Dean, Robert Hyams, Alex Woodyard, Graham Coughlan, Peter Gilbert, Ryan Auger, Lee Sawyer (replaced 71), Blair Sturrock (Shamir Mullings 11), Harry Crawford, David Martin (Kyle Asante 77). Substitutes not used: Jack Edwards, Luke Chambers.

Referee: M Buonassisi. Assistant Referees: N Evans and A Balakarz. Fourth Official: S Downes.