Marcelino Nunez (right) celebrates scoring for Norwich against Luton
Norwich City loaded further pressure on Luton boss Rob Edwards after securing a first win on the road since September at Kenilworth Road.
A strike from Chile international Marcelino Nunez proved the difference between the two sides despite the Hatters dominating the second half.
Luton enjoyed more possession and chances, hitting the post twice after the break, yet it was Norwich who emerged with the points.
Defeat for the hosts was their third in a row and raised the stakes for Edwards and left his side just three points above the drop zone.
Victory for the Canaries, courtesy of Nunez's fourth goal of the campaign, delivered only a second win in seven games for Johannes Hoff Thorup's side.
The Canaries produced some fluent passing moves and created chances to both take an earlier lead and then put the game to bed following Nunez's strike.
Yet after a fairly even first half, there was a period of 20 minutes where they were overwhelmed by Luton and needed several last-ditch tackles to emerge unscathed.
Tahith Chong hit the underside of the crossbar approaching the hour mark and it took a terrific sliding block from Shane Duffy to deny Carlton Morris shortly after, although the striker delayed his effort a fraction too long.
Nunez's goal made Luton pay for their failure to capitalise on that period of dominance as he was allowed to advance a good five or six yards more than he might and then hit a 25-yard effort through bodies which Thomas Kaminski should have saved.
Instead, he was beaten inside his near post by an effort which he would probably hope to keep out nine times out of 10.
With Luton pushing for an equaliser Norwich went close to extending the lead through Ante Crnac, but it was the hosts who came closest in the dying minutes, with sub Cauley Woodrow grazing the post from distance.
As Norwich celebrated with their fans who had travelled in vain eight times since a win at Derby four months ago, boos rang around Kenilworth Road.
It will have left Edwards in no doubt that he needs an urgent turnaround in form heading further into the new year.
Luton manager Rob Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"It's not the result that anyone wanted but the players gave everything and tried really really hard. We pushed and pushed and we deserved something from the game.
"I felt like it was the first time they had been in our half for a long time but we need to deal with the shot better – not allow the shot to come in. That was the decisive moment they were able to find and we weren't so yes bitterly disappointing.
"I will look back and feel that we had the territory and the upper hand in the game.
"Losing at home ramps up the pressure, yes it does. What can I say? We've got to keep working and keep my head down and keep believing in what we are doing.
"The performances, although we are losing, are not losing performances at the moment but we're finding a way to lose at the moment."
Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk:
"That is a beautiful one and I just said to the coaches in there you actually celebrate these wins a little bit more compared to if you win 5-0 at home and everything is beautiful and perfect.
"Everyone can see things were not perfect, but the attitude from the boys was there and the outstanding point today.
"How we prefer to play, it was difficult. After the warm-up we decided to play more direct today.
"There were not many chances. Our first half was good. We were in and around the box many times but they got the momentum in the middle of the second half. From there it was an even game and we scored our only chance."
