Late flurry sees Hatters record comfortable victory at Cobblers

A late flurry of goals saw Luton complete their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 3-0 triumph at newly-promoted League One side Northampton Town this afternoon.

With most friendly matches petering out once the raft of second half substitutes have been made, this game was to prove the exception of the rule, as all three of Town's strikes came after boss Nathan Jones had made his nine changes.

The Luton boss had altered his starting 11 from the 3-0 win at Wealdstone, with James Shea in goal, a defence of Peter Kioso, Sam Beckwith, Sonny Bradley and Matty Pearson.

Glen Rea, Luke Berry, Pell-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elliot Lee took up the midfield berths, with Harry Cornick and Danny Hylton upfront.

Shea was called into action early at his near post, saving Sam Hoskins' close range effort at the second attempt.

Matty Pearson rose highest to win a header at the other end, but striker Danny Hylton was adjuged to have fouled ex-Hatters loanee keeper Jonathan Mitchell when trying to turn it in.

Shea should have been picking the ball out of his net on 12 minutes, when his clearance was cut out by Joseph Mills, as his chipped effort drifted wide.

Town started to finally string some good moves together, Cornick using Kioso's run as a decoy to slip in Berry, whose scuffed shot was deflected behind, as was Lee's volley.

The visitors pressed again, Cornick teeing up Berry to drag wide from just outside the box, before a quiet passage of play was ended by Cornick making space to hammer well wide.

After the break, Northampton had a fine chance through Mills again, the full back showing good skill to create an opening to fire straight at Shea.

Luton rung the chances after after an hour and they paid off within seconds, sub home keeper Steve Arnold's clearance cannoning into his own defender, under pressure from James Collins, and rolling into the unguarded net.

Chris Lines thought he had replied for Northampton moments later, beating Shea with a header, but his goal was ruled out for offside.

With 12 minutes to go, Town added to their tally as Tunnicliffe picked the ball up deep inside his own half and lofted a fine ball over the top, with the home defence expecting it to run through to Arnold.

It didn't though as Kazenga LuaLua didn't give up the chase, racing on to it and with a real touch of class, lofted his shot over the advancing Arnold to make it 2-0.

Town then started to make their extra class show, as the third arrived on 81 minutes, a corner dropping in the box for Martin Cranie to fire into the net and further continue his impressive form in front of goal for the Hatters.

George Moncur was inches away from making it 4-0 late on, a flowing Luton move seeing the midfielder picked out by Collins, but his delicate lob just didn't come down in time.

Hatters: James Shea, Peter Kioso (Avan Jones 60), Sam Beckwith (Brendan Galloway 60), Sonny Bradley (Corey Panter 82), Matthew Pearson (Martin Cranie 60), Glen Rea (Ryan Tunnicliffe 60), Luke Berry (George Moncur 60), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Jordan Clark 60), Elliot Lee (Andrew Shinnie 60), Danny Hylton (Kazenga LuaLua 60), Harry Cornick (James Collins 60).

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Josh Neufville.

Referee: Andy Woolmer.