Supersub Clark nets late on as Hatters defeat Derby

A late goal from substitute Jordan Clark saw Luton continue their superb start to the season with a marvellous 2-1 victory over Derby County this afternoon.

The midfielder had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, when he was left totally unmarked at the far post to head in his second goal in a week, picked out by Rhys Norrington-Davies' pinpoint cross to seal the win, Town's fourth in a row, in what had been an absorbing contest, which was definitely deserving of a crowd to see it play out.

Going into the final stages, it looked like a game that Luton would have been happy to come out of with a point, as after dominating the first period, they saw Derby have the better of the second.

Last term, the Hatters could have quite conceivably left with nothing as well, late goals hindering their efforts to establish themselves in the second tier, as their soft underbelly meant they struggled to pick up results.

But this Town side are a different animal under Nathan Jones, and rather than settle for the drawm ,he made positive changes, bringing on George Moncur and Clark, the decisions paying off handsomely, with he latter in the right place to notch a winner.

The Luton chief had reverted to the same side that beat Barnsley 1-0 at Oakwell last week, meaning James Bree and Clark had to make do with a place on the bench, Tom Lockyer missing out completely.

The visitors gave an immediate debut to Polish winger Kamil Jozwiak, signed from Lech Poznan in the week, while England's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney started, as did former Hatter Jack Marriott, ex-Town defender Curtis Davies on the bench.

County showed first, Rooney pulling the strings with an exquisite ball out to Nathan Byrne whose dangerous delivery wasn't cleared, allowing Rooney to send a tame shot at Simon Sluga.

Craig Forsyth put an attempt wide, before the Hatters started to gain a proper foothold, creating two chances in the space of 60 seconds.

First, Harry Cornick was released by Martin Cranie's pass and after cutting back on to his left foot, was denied a first goal of the season by the outside of the post.

Then the attacker turned provider, thundering over a low cross that James Collins just couldn't get enough on, as it flew behind.

Collins went for goal himself moments later, shooting straight at David Marshall, as Luton started to look increasingly dangerous.

A glorious passing move almost saw Town break the deadlock, as Luke Berry found Mpanzu, he timed a perfect pass for Cornick, whose cross was just about to be turned in by Collins until Andre Wisdom got there in the nick of time to divert behind.

There was no stopping the Hatters on 34 minutes though, when Elliot Lee dug out a cross that keeper David Marshall looked to have covered, almost waiting for it to drop into his gloves.

His hesitancy however allowed Luke Berry to take full advantage, timing his run brilliantly to executive a wonderfully inventive almost karate kick-style finish to open his account for the campaign.

County responded well, Pearson with a vital block on Marriott, as his spin and shot looked to be threatening an instant response.

Unfortunately for Town, holding midfielder Glen Rea had to go off at the break, Bree on and Cranie going to the base of the diamond, with Louie Sibley replacing Graeme Sinnie for Derby, the replacement just unable to reach a low cross and equalise with his first touch.

The visitors began the second period in excellent fashion though and were rewarded for their fine start with an equaliser on 52 minutes, through a familar face to Luton, former striker Marriott teed up by Jozwiak, who had been quiet up until then, to beat Sluga low into the bottom corner.

The winger started to raise his game though, lofting narrowly over from the edge of the box as Derby looked to hammer their advantage home with a second.

Town showed they still could fashion opportunities though, Bree released on the right and reaching the byline when his ball across saw Lee unable to turn it home at the far post.

Jozwiak was now looking a completely different proposition, beating Bree on the left and finding Marriott, who was met by a firm block tackle from Pearson that saw the forward requiring treatment.

It led to him having to limp off, but his replacement Jamal Hector-Ingram, almost had an instant impact, turning Pearson in the box, only to see Sluga out quickly and bravely to save with his legs.

As the game progressed, Luton started to wrest the initiative back, with Cornick slicing wide on his left foot and then Bree winning a corner which was played to him by Berry, his drive headed away.

Jones threw on Moncur and Clark with seven to go and it was to pay dividends very quickly.

Full back Norrington-Davies' touch took him past his man, as he got his head up and to boss Jones' delight, dinked over an inviting cross to the back post where Clark was left all unmarked to power his header into the net.

With six minutes of stoppage time being added, County should have left Kenilworth Road with a point as with the last kick, Rooney dragged an opportunity, that he would have usually buried with his eyes closed, wide, as Town's winning start elevated them to a heady second in the fledgling Championship table.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Martin Cranie, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley ©, Glen Rea (James Bree 46), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Berry, Elliot Lee (Jordan Clark 83), James Collins, Harry Cornick (George Moncur 83).

Subs not used: James Shea, Andrew Shinnie, Kazenga LuaLua, Danny Hylton.

Rams: David Marshall, Andre Wisdom, Craig Forsyth, Graeme Shinnie (Louie Sibley 46), Kamil Jozwiak (Morgan Whittaker 88), Max Bird, Nathan Byrne, Matthew Clarke, Wayne Rooney (C), Jason Knight, Jack Marriott (Jamal Hector-Ingram 64).

Subs not used: Kelle Roos, George Evans, Lee Buchanan, Curtis Davies.

Booked: Norrington-Davies 23, Mpanzu 90.

Referee: Dean Whitestone