Benson and Lawless complete 90 as Hatters defeat O’s

The striker was playing for the first time since breaking his left leg against Mansfield on November 29, while Alex Lawless, Luke Wilkinson and Jake Howells all started too.

The hosts went in front after just five minutes though when Sandro Semedo opened the scoring.

Luton were level in the 13th minute as striker Alex Wall cut in from the right and thundered an effort past O’s keeper Charlie Grainger.

Wall had another header well saved by Grainger, but his afternoon was ended early, forced off due to injury.

Replacement Ross Lafayette took his place and the substitute gave Hatters the lead on the stroke of half time, converting powerfully from close range.

In the second period, Wilkinson was taken off on the hour mark with one eye on Saturday’s League Two clash against Accrington Stanley, Mark Onyemah taking his place.

Luke Rooney was denied by Grainger, but Orient were back on level terms shortly afterwards when Gianvito Plasmati fired into the net.

Town’s U18s keeper Liam Gooch saved from Shaun Batt, while Plasmati put a free kick wide of the mark as both sides looked for a winner.

However, Town had the victory with 10 minutes to go when they were awarded a penalty from which Howells made no mistake, smashing past Grainger.

Town’s next scheduled clash is against Cambridge United at home on Tuesday, March 10.

Hatters: Gooch, Connolly, Parry, Wilkinson (Onyemah 60), Howells, Robinson, Rooney, Lawless, Whalley, Benson, Wall (Lafayette 25).

Subs not used: Galliford, Allman.