Luton Town 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers: Hatters continue fine form
- Published
Luton secured their third victory in four Championship matches
Luton Town continued their fine form as they edged out Wycombe Wanderers at Kenilworth Road in the Championship.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu opened the scoring for the hosts with a fine curling effort just before the hour mark.
Wycombe full-back Jack Grimmer went closest for the visitors, stinging the palms of Luton keeper Simon Sluga late on.
But Luton wrapped up the points in the 89th minute, with Elliot Lee tapping home Kazenga LuaLua's cutback.
Gareth Ainsworth's side remain 23rd in the table - only kept off the bottom because of Sheffield Wednesday's pre-season points deduction - and are still awaiting their first goal at this level.
Wycombe went into the game hoping to avoid becoming only the third newly promoted second-tier side to lose their first four league fixtures.
But it was the Hatters who shaded the first period, with Wanderers defender Darius Charles blocking a Jordan Clark header on the line just before half-time.
The hosts deservedly went in front through Mpanzu's fine strike and nearly doubled their advantage moments later as Wycombe keeper Ryan Allsop kept out Luke Berry's effort with his feet, after a well-worked low cross from Harry Cornick.
Luton again failed to grab a second in the 70th minute, with Curtis Thompson clearing off the line as Hatters defender Sonny Bradley looked to stab home.
But, as the visitors searched for a leveller, Luton substitute Lee finished off a sharp counter-attack to give Nathan Jones' side a third win from their opening four league fixtures.
Luton Town boss Nathan Jones told BBC Three Counties:
"When the game started opening up I thought we came into it and we got into some unbelievable positions and should have capitalised, should have got a shot off, but didn't.
"The second half we started really well, we got the goal which was wonderfully worked and then we had two unbelievable opportunities.
"We had a little scare with the offside goals, but if it's offside, it's offside and I thought we were the better side.
"I know the fans will say beating Watford is the be-all and end-all, but it's not, it's about being where we are in the league and we are in a wonderful place in the league."
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Three Counties:
"We have conceded two goals, the second one was terrible, we can't concede a goal like that, it's not us.
"But we have hit the post a couple of times, we've had umpteen chances in that second half, we've actually scored and it's been ruled out for offside. Whether it is or not, I won't be crying over that.
"I've got some work to do now, the international beak is coming, the window's got two weeks open still and I'm looking forward to trying to dabble."