Luton humbled by Lambs

Luton suffered their first defeat of the season at the Lamb Ground with an in and out performance.

The Hatters opened well and took the game to their hosts but with their first real threat on 11 minutes Tamworth took the lead.

Tait crossed to the far post and Kyle Pery headed past Pilkington. After a slow start this goal sparked some life into the Lambs and they might have increased the lead less than five minutes later when Tait forced a spectacular save out of Pilkington.

Luton created a few chances of their own but usually a bad choice of final ball was responsible for the lack of threat to the home keeper's clean sheet.

Tamworth were now beginning to show that they had a bit about them and it took a goal line clearance from George Pilkington after his namesake Kevin uncharacteristically flapped at a cross, and then just before half time Matthew Barnes-Homer had Luton's best chance to score in the half but as keeper Atkins charged out, MBH's attempted lob went high and wide of the target.

Luton came out for the second half like they were on a mission and it took barely three minutes to cancel out the Tamworth lead. Barnes-Homer laid off to Craddock who turned and fired into the net from 18 yards. This saw Luton take charge of the game and two minutes later it was the turn of Atkins to play the hero making a very good save from MBH after a good pass from Drury.

It was nip and tuck from there on with each side having chances and both keepers making good saves, although neither manager would have been happy at how open the game had become. The next goal was all important and Luton seemed to be just having the better of it with more incisive football but neither side could break through.

On 78 minutes with Luton attacking the move broke down and Tamworth cleared straight to Pavel Besta, who inexplicably played the ball to Danny Thomas who needed no second invitation and drove powerfully past the bemused Pilkington for 2-1 to the Home side.

Luton desperately tried to get back into the game but Tamworth defended for their lives.

With almost the last kick of the match Daniel Bradley hit a speculative shot from about 35 yards out which rocketed into the top corner for 3-1.

Over the 90 minutes Tamworth just about deserved their victory although the two goal margin was a bit flattering.

The Luton travelling fans were not happy and it appeared that Hatters boss Richard Money got involved with some of them as frustrations welled over into flared tempers. Luton are not going to win every match and it would be nice if just once some of the booing fans would support the team's effort when they don't win as much as they do when they do win.

LUTON TOWN: Kevin Pilkington, Dan Gleeson, Zdenek Kroca, George Pilkington, Freddie Murray, Andy Drury, , Adam Murray, Pavel Besta (Newton, 83), Claude Gnakpa (Howells, 61), Matthew Barnes-Homer (Gallen, 62), Tom Craddock,

Subs not used:

Mark Tyler, Adam Newton, Shane Blackett, J

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.