Darren Currie and Don Hutchison played their first competitive game for over a month during the reserves 4-0 defeat at Southend.

Both players have been missing from the first team squad since late January after picking up injuries.

However, thery successfully came through 90 minutes at Roots Hall and could be available for selection when Mick Harford brings his team to Southend on Saturday.

The Hatters side consisted mainly of youth players with Ross Faulds, Riccardo Biggi, Harry Hogarth and Jamie Mcuinness all given the chance to shine.

And Charles almost made an immediate impact when, on five minutes, the youngster found space inside the area, but dragged his shot wide of the right post.

Luton looked impressive in the opening stages and on 18 minutes, Hutchison fired a 25-yard free-kick that was tipped over by Southend goalkeeper Steve Collis.

Southend then got the breakthrough on 22 minutes when Damian Scannell took advantage of a mistake in the Luton defence, to side foot home from eight yards.

The home side doubled their advantage seven minutes later, when Franck Moussa headed Lewis Hunt's cross from the right, past the outstretched arms of Faulds.

Southend could have gone further ahead before the break with Peggy Lokondo and Scannell both forcing saves.

The Blues dominated the second half and on 51 minutes Zoltan Liptak side footed home a Hunt free-kick on the right to make it 3-0.

Charles almost reduced Southend's lead two minutes later when he was put clean through by Currie's pass, but the striker was denied by a breathtaking save from Collis.

But any chance of a fight back evaporated when Moussa grabbed his second of the game on 67 minutes, firing a right footed shot from the edge of the area past Faulds.

AT FULL FIME: SOUTHEND 4 - 0 LUTON

Southend: Collis, Hunt, Herd, Grant, Liptak, Hopkins, Scannell, Moussa, Harrold, Higgins (Henry 79), Lokando

Subs not used: Harvey, McDonald, O'Keefe, Abalimba

Bookings:

Luton: Faulds, Biggi, Davis (Goodall 46), Hutchison, Hogarth, Beavan, McGuinness (Osborne-Ricketts 46), Nowland, Parkin (Harrison-Barker 68), Charles, Currie

Subs not used:Hamilton, Farthing

Bookings: