Match ends, Luton Town 1, Carlisle United 0.
LutonLuton Town1CarlisleCarlisle United0
Mark Cullen's 12th goal of the season saw off Carlisle United and moved Luton Town within a point of the top three.
The hosts went ahead when Cullen took Matt Robinson's astute pass in his stride and drilled in a left-foot shot.
Town had centre-back Luke Wilkinson sent off for bringing down Antony Sweeney, but Andy Drury almost made it 2-0 when his volley hit the woodwork.
Carlisle went close late on when David Amoo and Danny Grainger blazed shots over when well-placed.
Luton leapfrogged Southend into fourth, while Carlisle remain just three points clear of the relegation zone in 19th.
Meanwhile the Hatters announced that midfielder Cameron McGeehan had returned on loan from Norwich City until the end of the season.
Luton Town boss John Still told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I'm really pleased with how we played until that sending off. In that last bit we had to show the other side of our game, the qualities of being competitive and being disciplined. I'm really pleased.
"In that last half hour I thought Jayden Stockley was magnificent. He chased everything, he held on to everything and he competed for everything. He's a loan player so that tells you something about the spirit of the club.
"I'm fortunate that I have good contacts, like young Nathan Doyle coming in from Tottenham until the end of the season. It's those young ambitious players that can carry the club a long way."
Line-ups
Luton
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Tyler
- 22Harriman
- 2Franks
- 30WilkinsonBooked at 66mins
- 12Griffiths
- 31OduwaSubstituted forLaceyat 67'minutes
- 4Smith
- 23RobinsonSubstituted forRuddockat 76'minutes
- 8Drury
- 25StockleyBooked at 81mins
- 13CullenSubstituted forHowellsat 83'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Lacey
- 11Howells
- 16Justham
- 17Ruddock
- 20Whalley
- 21Guttridge
- 27Hall
Carlisle
Formation 4-4-2
- 20Hanford
- 31Young
- 6Archibald-HenvilleBooked at 90mins
- 23O'Hanlon
- 2Grainger
- 22Dempsey
- 15Meppen-WalterSubstituted forPottsat 60'minutes
- 34GriffithSubstituted forAmooat 45'minutes
- 8SweeneyBooked at 72mins
- 21RiggSubstituted forBeckat 73'minutes
- 26Wyke
Substitutes
- 7Amoo
- 11Kearns
- 16Potts
- 17Beck
- 18Brough
- 25Asamoah
- 33Eccles
- Referee:
- James Linington
- Attendance:
- 8,502
Match Stats
Home TeamLutonAway TeamCarlisle
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away1
- Corners
- Home5
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Luton Town 1, Carlisle United 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Danny Grainger (Carlisle United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. David Amoo (Carlisle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Booking
Troy Archibald-Henville (Carlisle United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Andy Drury (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Troy Archibald-Henville (Carlisle United).
Post update
Fraser Franks (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Mark Beck (Carlisle United).
Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Jake Howells replaces Mark Cullen.
Booking
Jayden Stockley (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mark Cullen (Luton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Brad Potts (Carlisle United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Post update
Corner, Carlisle United. Conceded by Mark Cullen.
Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Pelly Ruddock replaces Matt Robinson.
Post update
Andy Drury (Luton Town) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box.
Substitution
Substitution, Carlisle United. Mark Beck replaces Steven Rigg.
Booking
Antony Sweeney (Carlisle United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Matt Robinson (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Antony Sweeney (Carlisle United).
