Crow’s late winner enough for Luton

With seconds remaining, the second half substitute pounced from a matter of yards, turning in fellow replacement Matthew Barnes-Homer’s cross to seal a deserved win for Hatters.

There were plenty of positives throughout the evening as Town bossed virtually all of the match, but hit the woodwork three times and found goalkeeper Niki Lee Bulmer between them and a larger margin of victory.

Town boss Gary Brabin named a strong side for the clash with Mark Tyler in goal, Jake Howells, Will Antwi, Dean Beckwith and Ed Asafu Adjaye across the defence, while Keith Keane, Alex Lawless and trialist Jon Routledge, who started his career at Liverpool and was recently released by Wigan Athletic, took up the midfield positions.

Drewe Broughton began upfront, flanked by new signing James Dance on the right and Aaron O’Connor.

Hatters settled into their rhythm from the start and on 13 minutes, a deep cross found O’Connor at the far post, but his left footed angled shot thudded across goal, just out of the reach of the diving Broughton.

O’Connor was almost provider again shortly afterwards as his cross was headed goalwards by Dance, but Bulmer tipped over.

Hatters were gaining plenty of joy down both wings and Howells stood up a delivery that Broughton glanced wide of the post.

Despite barely threatening, Airbus took the lead on 25 minutes when Beckwith allowed a long ball to drop over his head and Mike Hayes held off the challenge of Asafu-Adjaye, before sublimely chipping Tyler.

Town kept up their passing football on a glorious playing surface and came close to levelling when Broughton was found by Routledge’s cross, but from a yard out, could only fire against the legs of Bulmer.

The striker was having the lions share of the opportunities, leaping highest to meet Howells’ cross, but couldn’t direct his header on target.

Just before half time, Town were denied twice by the woodwork, with Beckwith having both attempts.

First, he swivelled to volley a free kick on to the bar and from the resulting corner, his header cannoned against the post, with Bulmer smothering the rebound.

In the second half, Keane tried his luck from distance, but Bulmer got everything behind it, while the keeper was called upon again to palm aside Robbie Willmott’s drive, the winger replacing Dance.

Town hit the bar once more moments later when Willmott teed up Lawless, whose thunderbolt from just inside the box crashed against the woodwork.

Town had shouts for a penalty shortly afterwards when Beckwith was hauled down after Willmott’s corner, but nothing was given.

Luton were putting together some fine moves, with O’Connor’s audacious flick over his shoulder into the path of Crow, but his volley was well handled by Bulmer.

Youngster Adam Watkins replaced Lawless and almost made an immediate impact, driving across goal and firing in a rasping drive that was superbly palmed away by Bulmer.

Town were finally on level terms when Willmott was fouled 20 yards from goal and dusted himself to find the top corner with a glorious free kick.

Crow sprung the offside trip, but his cross was just too strong for Watkins, before the striker made amends in the closing stages to seal victory.

Luton: Mark Tyler, Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Jake Howells, Keith Keane, Dean Beckwith (C), Will Antwi (Alex Lacey 57), Alex Lawless (Adam Watkins 70), John Routledge, Drew Broughton (Danny Crow 57), James Dance (Robbie Willmott 46), Aaron O’Connor (Matthew Barnes-Homer 70).

Subs not used: Ryan Da Silva, JJ O’Donnell, Lewis Kidd, Godfrey Poku.

Airbus UK Broughton: Niki Lee Bulmer (Callum Hawthorne 74), Danny Taylor (Gareth Owen), Rees Darlington (Nathan Nicholls 80), Gavin Cadwallader (Matty Woodward 57), Tommy Holmes (Mark Allen 24), Glenn Rule (C), Ryan Edwards (John Leah 63), Danny Desormeaux (Mark Cadwallader 57), Ian Sheridan (Mark Jones 63), Mike Hayes, Eddie Hope.

Subs not used: Paul McManus, Andy Moran.