Freddy Eastwood hit the post deep into stoppage time as Southend missed the chance to climb off the bottom of the Coca-Cola Championship with a goalless draw at Luton.

Eastwood, who had earlier rattled the crossbar, looked set to win the game for the visitors after rounding Luton goalkeeper Dean Kiely, but only contrived to hit his shot against the near post.

It was an intriguing encounter between the division's two out-of-form sides, but most of the chances were saved for a frenetic closing period.

First Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan made a fine save to deny emergency Luton striker Leon Barnett, before another smart save to deny Steve Robinson.

Rowan Vine had twice gone close for the home side, but it was Eastwood who came closest of all just before the hour mark when his 30-yard piledriver thumped the bar.

The Hatters spurned a good chance to take the lead on 13 minutes when Lewis Emanuel played in Rowan Vine, and although he beat Efe Sodje and broke into the box, he lost his footing and hit his shot along the ground to Flahavan.

Sodje headed wide from a corner in a rare foray into opposition territory for the Shrimpers, before Edwards fired wide on his weaker left foot from the edge of the area.

But the visitors responded well and a smart move ended with Steven Hammell fizzing a low shot at Kiely, which the on-loan Portsmouth man could only parry, but collected before any Southend strikers could pounce.

Vine then showed good technique to fire a half-volley from 20 yards that whistled past Flahavan's post just before the interval.

Luton, who were booed off at the break, felt they should have had a penalty early in the second period when Sodje appeared to handle Vine's goalbound shot, but referee Nigel Miller waved play on.

Vine then came close to opening the scoring when he was played in but his shot just missed the target as the home side upped the pressure at the start of the second period.

But it was the Shrimpers who came within a whisker of opening the scoring when Eastwood's long-range effort thundered against the crossbar.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce's goalbound effort was blocked by his own player Lee Bradbury, while Kiely was able to cling on comfortably to McCormack's long-range effort.

Both sides made changes to try and find the breakthrough as the clock ticked down and Edwards then wasted a great chance to open the scoring when he was played in by Feeney's crossfield ball, but he dallied over his shot and the Shrimpers were able to clear.

Hatter boss Mike Newell's decision to push Barnett forward almost got its reward three minutes from time when he leapt above Sodje to get his head to Kevin Foley's cross, but Flahavan produced a stunning save to tip his effort over the bar.

Flahavan was called upon again in stoppage time when Robinson made space for himself in the box, but the Shrimpers keeper was able to comfortably hold on.

However, the best chance was still to come, but Eastwood fluffed his lines as the two sides had to settle for a point apiece.