Grimsby 3 Luton 0

Luton`s FA Trophy run ended at Blundell Park last night, when the Hatters slipped to a 3-0 defeat against the Conference leaders.

On the back of the marvelous win, in the FA Cup, over Norwich City, losing to Grimsby wasn`t in the plan. However, with our fixture congestion a sit is, being out of the FA Trophy might be just the fillet we need to give us the breathing space to launch a sustained push for promotion, after all isn`t that what this season is really about.

For the clash against the Mariners, Paul Buckle fielded a strong side with just four changes from the eleven that started at Carrow Road.

The game didn`t get off to the best of starts for Luton with our hosts going ahead as early as the 8th minute. Janos Kovacs was harshly, perhaps, penalized for a foul and when Jamie Devitt curled his free kick over the ball it easily beat Dean Brill in the Hatters goal.

Luton tried to get back into the match but were looking a little lethargic, although having three penalty appeals waved aside did little to improve the spirits.

Battling to get back onto level terms, Luton were finally killed off with a two goal burst close to the 75th minute. Ronnie Henry conceded a free kick and this time it was Andy Cooke who stepped up to beat Brill with a low drive.

Soon after it was game set and match to Luton when Grimsby got a third, albeit a slightly fortunate third, Marcus Marshall, a Luton transfer target last week, saw his shot deflected by Simon Ainge and nestle in the net.

Next stop for Luton is Barrow, this Saturday, for a Conference fixture.

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