Match ends, Cambridge United 2, Luton Town 1.
Cambridge United 2-1 Luton Town
- From the section Football
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League Two Cambridge United reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 15 years with a 2-1 victory over league rivals Luton Town.
Forward Robbie Simpson gave the hosts the lead in the first half when he poked in after his penalty was initially saved.
Ryan Donaldson slotted in a second after the hour, but defender Michael Harriman pulled one back with a header.
Jonathan Smith shot just wide for Luton but Cambridge held on.
It is the first time Cambridge have progressed this far in the competition since the 1999-2000 season, and it was a deserved win for Richard Money's side.
Luton will perhaps rue a miss by Andy Drury, who failed to hit the target despite being presented with an open goal early in the second half.
That would have cancelled out Simpson's opener, which came midway through the first half.
Luton keeper Mark Tyler brought down Donaldson inside the area and Simpson stepped up to take the resulting penalty. Tyler parried it on to the post but Simpson reacted quickly to fire home.
Donaldson hit the crossbar in the second half but made no mistake when he latched on to Tom Champion's ball and slotted home.
Harriman set up a tense finish when he headed in Drury's cross soon after Donaldson's goal and although the visitors pressed in the closing stages, they could not force an equaliser.
Luton manager John Still told BBC Three Counties Radio:
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"I thought we played terrific today - I really did. I thought in the first half there was not a lot in it but I thought we had the edge.
"In the second half it was one-way traffic but sometimes it doesn't go for you.
"It was a good cup tie, both teams had a go.
"Illness has gone right through the club, and yesterday we weren't sure who could play, so in terms of preparation it wasn't the best."
Line-ups
Cambridge
- 1Dunn
- 2Tait
- 4Coulson
- 18Nelson
- 3Taylor
- 22ChadwickSubstituted forKaikaiat 89'minutes
- 8Champion
- 17Hughes
- 7DonaldsonSubstituted forDunkat 79'minutes
- 15Simpson
- 10ElliottSubstituted forBirdat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Miller
- 11Dunk
- 13Norris
- 25Atkinson
- 26Hurst
- 31Kaikai
- 32Bird
Luton
- 1TylerBooked at 27mins
- 29ConnollySubstituted forRuddock Mpanzuat 59'minutes
- 2Franks
- 30Wilkinson
- 11Howells
- 22Harriman
- 4Smith
- 8Drury
- 28Stevenson
- 19MillerBooked at 34minsSubstituted forWalkerat 65'minutes
- 13CullenSubstituted forLafayetteat 59'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Lacey
- 15Rooney
- 16Justham
- 17Ruddock Mpanzu
- 18Lafayette
- 23Robinson
- 35Walker
- Referee:
- Tony Harrington
- Attendance:
- 7,063
Match Stats
Home TeamCambridgeAway TeamLuton
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away3
- Corners
- Home2
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away8
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Cambridge United 2, Luton Town 1.
Hand ball by Jim Stevenson (Luton Town).
Pelly Ruddock (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Sullay Kaikai (Cambridge United).
Attempt missed. Luke Wilkinson (Luton Town) header from the centre of the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.
Jake Howells (Luton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Ryan Bird (Cambridge United).
Substitution
Substitution, Cambridge United. Sullay Kaikai replaces Luke Chadwick.
Attempt missed. Charlie Walker (Luton Town) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Foul by Luke Wilkinson (Luton Town).
Robbie Simpson (Cambridge United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Richard Tait.
Substitution
Substitution, Cambridge United. Ryan Bird replaces Tom Elliott.
Attempt missed. Jonathan Smith (Luton Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Harrison Dunk.
Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Michael Nelson.
Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Michael Nelson.
Attempt blocked. Charlie Walker (Luton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Charlie Walker (Luton Town).
Richard Tait (Cambridge United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Cambridge United. Harrison Dunk replaces Ryan Donaldson.
Attempt missed. Charlie Walker (Luton Town) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left.
Attempt saved. Tom Champion (Cambridge United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Attempt blocked. Liam Hughes (Cambridge United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Goal!
Goal! Cambridge United 2, Luton Town 1. Michael Harriman (Luton Town) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.
Pelly Ruddock (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Liam Hughes (Cambridge United).
Attempt missed. Ross Lafayette (Luton Town) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Attempt saved. Tom Elliott (Cambridge United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Foul by Luke Wilkinson (Luton Town).
Tom Elliott (Cambridge United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Cambridge United 2, Luton Town 0. Ryan Donaldson (Cambridge United) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Charlie Walker replaces Ricky Miller.
Foul by Luke Wilkinson (Luton Town).
Tom Elliott (Cambridge United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Ricky Miller (Luton Town) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
Attempt saved. Jim Stevenson (Luton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Pelly Ruddock replaces Paul Connolly.
Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Ross Lafayette replaces Mark Cullen.