Hatters cruise into FA Cup second round

In-form Luton banged in three unanswered goals to book their place in the FA Cup second round at the expense of Southend tonight.

There was also a win for Port Vale at home to League Two strugglers Kidderminster – and it finished 1-1 between Bristol City and Brentford.

Prolific striker Steve Howard set the Hatters on their way with two early goals against League Two promotion hopefuls Southend.

Howard put Mike Newell’s men one up when he barged in a close-range effort in the 12th minute and he made it two on the quarter-hour with a right-foot strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Croatian midfielder Ahmet Brkovic gave the visitors a 3-0 half-time lead when he rounded the goalkeeper and thrashed the ball into an empty net just after the half-hour.

Southend gave the visitors more to think about after the interval – but despite having much the better in terms of possession and territory, they could not break their duck.

Brentford went one up in the seventh minute thanks to veteran forward John Salako in their all-League One battle at Ashton Gate. But the Robins were rewarded for a storming effort in the second half when forward Leroy Lita scored his 16th goal of the campaign in the 89th minute.

A November 23 replay now beckons at Griffin Park.

A surprise appeared to be in store when the Football League’s bottom club Kidderminster went a goal up at Port Vale, Wayne Hatswell finding the net in the fourth minute.

Harriers held out till half-time. But Billy Paynter, who missed an earlier penalty, levelled in the 53rd minute. A spectacular 30-yard strike from Levi Reid just before the hour put the hosts in front and Paynter then finished the job in the 65th minute with his second goal.

FA Cup Results:

Bristol City 1 Brentford 1

Port Vale 3 Kidderminster 1

Southend 0 Luton 3.