Luton 3 - 1 Kidderminster

You might have been forgiven for expecting Kiderminster to be easy fare after seeing the 5-2 walloping Stevenage gave them on their own patch in the Trophy semi-final first leg last weekend but they came to Luton showing spirit and Luton had to put in a good shift to dispose of them.

However, dispose of them they did in their fourth victory in a row, and looked as though they are beginning to get it together at last.

Jake Howells put the Town ahead with a tremendous strike on 24 minutes leaving the Kiddy keeper bemused as the ball whistled past him, and curled in off the post.

Within seven minutes Kevin Gallen made it two with a free kick which didn't look to have the pace to beat the keeper but it went through the wall and Atkins seemed to see it late and despite a despairing dive it was 2-0 to the Hatters.

Luton were controlling the game and perhaps at last we could have a match which we could watch in comfort without biting nails down to the quick.

Not so, as the Harriers seemed to be spurred on by the second Hatters goal and they put together some slick passing moves to reduce the deficit to 2-1 just 3 minutes later. A cross from the left after a good run by Smikle saw Lawrie unmarked at the edge of the box and he hit a sweet drive past Tyler.

Here we go again! Another game where we let our comfort zone slide, and it should have been 2-2 on 42 minutes when McPhee hit a shot that looked to have the beating of Mark Tyler but he made a cracking save to keep the lead for the Town.

It was enough of a shock for Luton to seem much more 'about their business' as the second half commenced. Maybe Mr Money gave a few words of wisdom at half time!

It was not so much that Kidderminster played badly but Luton stepped up to the extra gear we knew they had but have rarely engaged this season! With a bit more luck finishing it could have been 4 or 5 before finally the in-form Kevin Gallen scored again on 57 minutes, to make it 3-1, and from then on Luton rarely looked like letting it slide again.

The Harriers were kept back in defence by the pressing Luton forwards with Gnakpa causing problems with his freestyling runs and although chances were left untaken, they hung on for a fairly comfortable victory.

Four wins on the bounce for the first time this season and five unbeaten, could it be that Luton are peaking at just the right time and that the teams above may get a little shaky looking over their shoulders?

A good performance at Ebbsfleet on Saturday is essential and dare I say it another victory would see us two points behind leaders Stevenage and a point ahead of Oxford come 5 o'clock as Stevenage have their second leg Trophy semi-final and Oxford don't play until Sunday. I know they both have the games in hand but the pressure will make those games harder.

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