Match ends, Luton Town 3, Cambridge United 2.
LutonLuton Town3CambridgeCambridge United2
Luton Town almost squandered a 3-0 lead as they survived a second-half fightback by Cambridge United.
Tom Elliott headed against the bar for the U's, but Andy Drury volleyed in a rebound to give the Hatters the lead.
Drury then crossed for Luke Wilkinson to head in, before Cambridge keeper Chris Dunn failed to keep out Jonathan Smith's effort.
Johnny Hunt's placed finish and Robbie Simpson's turn and shot made it awkward for promotion-chasing Luton though.
As it was, John Still's fourth-placed side maintained the pace with League Two's top three, while Cambridge now turn their attention to Tuesday's lucrative FA Cup fourth-round replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Luton first-team coach Hakan Hayrettin told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"We pressed high, we closed them down. We know that every time we play Cambridge they're a handful.
"Ultimately, it's about getting the three points and we stood firm and did that.
"For us it was a massive three points against a good team who had nothing to lose in the second half. They threw everything at it."
Line-ups
Luton
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Tyler
- 22Harriman
- 5McNulty
- 30WilkinsonSubstituted forFranksat 42'minutes
- 12GriffithsSubstituted forCullenat 74'minutes
- 20WhalleyBooked at 45minsSubstituted forLawlessat 70'minutes
- 4Smith
- 8Drury
- 26DoyleBooked at 76mins
- 11Howells
- 25Stockley
Substitutes
- 2Franks
- 7Lawless
- 10Wall
- 13Cullen
- 16Justham
- 21Guttridge
- 23Robinson
Cambridge
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Dunn
- 2Tait
- 18Nelson
- 4Coulson
- 3Taylor
- 7DonaldsonSubstituted forChadwickat 73'minutes
- 8ChampionBooked at 74mins
- 20McGeehan
- 19BallSubstituted forSimpsonat 45'minutes
- 31KaikaiSubstituted forHuntat 45'minutes
- 10Elliott
Substitutes
- 6Miller
- 13Norris
- 14Hunt
- 15Simpson
- 22Chadwick
- 29Akintunde
- 40Chiedozie
- Referee:
- Jeremy Simpson
- Attendance:
- 10,054
Match Stats
Home TeamLutonAway TeamCambridge
- Possession
- Home59%
- Away41%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away4
- Corners
- Home4
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Luton Town 3, Cambridge United 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Robbie Simpson (Cambridge United) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
Post update
Foul by Steve McNulty (Luton Town).
Post update
Greg Taylor (Cambridge United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Steve McNulty (Luton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Cameron McGeehan (Cambridge United).
Goal!
Goal! Luton Town 3, Cambridge United 2. Robbie Simpson (Cambridge United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
Post update
Andy Drury (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Richard Tait (Cambridge United).
Post update
Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Richard Tait.
Post update
Corner, Cambridge United. Conceded by Jake Howells.
Booking
Nathan Doyle (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Nathan Doyle (Luton Town).
Post update
Cameron McGeehan (Cambridge United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Tom Champion (Cambridge United) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Mark Cullen replaces Scott Griffiths.
Substitution
Substitution, Cambridge United. Luke Chadwick replaces Ryan Donaldson.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alex Lawless (Luton Town) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Alex Lawless replaces Shaun Whalley.
