SAINTS manager George Burley is hoping his side have found their form at the right time after they climbed back into the Championship play-off places with a 2-0 win at Luton.

Two goals in two first-half minutes from Jhon Viafara and Marek Saganowski lifted Saints into sixth place and made it a miserable homecoming for new Luton boss Kevin Blackwell.

Viafara struck from the edge of the area and Saganowski volleyed in a second in first-half stoppage time to nudge the rock-bottom Hatters a step closer to the drop.

Burley's team ran out 6-0 winners at Wolves last week and a successive victory on the road sees them leapfrog the Black Country side.

"We knew that was going to be a tough game," said Burley. "If you look at our away record we've scored a few more than any other team, but we've also let in too many.

"So it's nice to get two clean sheets in our last two away games. We had to battle and that's what we did.

"We've been a little bit guilty of not taking our opportunities in some games but in the last couple of games we have done that."

Saints face a huge test of their promotion credentials at home to Sunderland tomorrow (5.15pm), but Burley is relishing the challenge of taking on Roy Keane's side.

"We're against the form team. Sunderland have an incredible record but it's one to look forward to," added Burley.

"We've been in the top six all season until we had a bad three or four games but since then we've showed our character and we have to show that on Monday.

"We'll be judged after 46 games, there's still 15 points to play for and every game is important."

Saganowski now has eight goals to his name since joining on loan from French side Troyes and Burley is eager to keep hold of the Polish striker.

"He's been fantastic for us. We don't know what will happen in the summer - what league we'll be in or what our finances will be - but I'd like to keep him," he said.

Luton failed to muster a single shot on target in the opening period, but Bedfordshire-born Blackwell was at least encouraged by their second-half display in his first home game in charge.

Drew Talbot had two close-range efforts ruled out for offside and Ahmet Brkovic rattled a post to offer a glimmer of hope for the remaining five games.

"You have to work on certain elements in the game and the period before half-time is crucial," said Blackwell.

"Maybe that's why Luton Town are where they are. It's not often you score two and hit the post and come away with nothing, but when you're down there the bus will break down and the soup will be cold.

"But we kept going and that's the sort of attitude we're looking for. If the players show me that attitude, and show me that they want to play for Luton Town, then I can't complain.

"Southampton had to dig in second half - which they did - and the way they took their goals is probably why they're up near the top and we're down at the bottom."

For the best reports, reaction and pictures from Kenilworth Road, don't miss tomorrow's Daily Echo.