Pantomime villains Brodie and Hand suffer miserable night at the hands of the Hatters

Ex-Hatter Hand, who was censured by the FA over comments about Luton fans last year, was loaned by the Sandgrounders just prior to the game from Stockport County, while maligned former York striker Richard Brodie, on loan from Gateshead, was also barracked at every turn.

It was a lousy night for the duo, who were also both booked in the first half, as Town eased to a comfortable victory as crowd favourite Steve McNulty dominated old team-mate, the ‘naive’ Brodie throughout.

He said: “I don’t know Jamie Hand, I’ve played against him on numerous occasions, but Brodie’s Brodie isn’t he.

“He likes to get involved with the fans and stuff. I don’t know. He’s a pal off the pitch, I’ve played against him, I’ve played with him, he’s just a bit naive.

“He’s a nice lad off the pitch. You get them people and when they go on the pitch they just turn into people that just can’t cope.

“All in all he doesn’t mean no harm, but obviously he’s got past with the Luton fans and that’s nothing to do with me.”

It’s the second time Brodie has featured against the Hatters this season, having played for Hereford in the goalless draw at Edgar Street in September while on yet another loan deal.

In fact Brodie has had nine employers in six years, as McNulty said: “I think has had more clubs than Tiger Woods so I don’t know what he is doing.”

There was nowhere for the duo to turn during the full 90 minutes with Hatters fans in the Oak Road ‘away’ end for the second time this season.

Hand was a prolific tweeter about the night, with one reading: “Would like 2 thank al down the kenal 4 a fantastic reception was overwhelmed can’t believe they spent 90 mins singing bout me #kenal #woofoof”

Only 16 hardy Southport supporters made the epic trip south and McNulty believes having Luton supporters all around the ground made for a much better atmosphere.

He added: “It’s great and hopefully they’ll keep getting the Oak Road open.

“It makes a massive difference. You’ve got the crowd behind both goals and it makes a massive difference, it’s just trying to find somewhere to put the away fans.

“Hopefully we’ll keep getting that Oak Road open and it makes for a better atmosphere.”