Hatters deliver ideal early Christmas present with Heed win as they close the gap on leaders Cambridge to one point

A fantastic performance from the Hatters saw them deliver the ideal early Christmas present for their supporters as they beat Gateshead 4-2 at Kenilworth Road this afternoon to close the gap at the top of the Skrill Premier to just one point, writes Mark Wood.

Outstanding Town put the Heed to the sword as they surged into a 4-0 lead thanks to a brace from the classy Alex Lawless and goals from hotshot strikers Paul Benson and Andre Gray, while late strikes from ex-Premier League star John Oster and former Hatter Liam Hatch failed to take the gloss off the result.

Luton were cheered on by almost 6,900 home fans as the Oak Road end was again open to Town supporters and they duly performed for the bumper festive crowd.

And an entertaining and enjoyable clash, which also saw Luton have two goals ruled out, was capped by the news that leaders Cambridge United had fallen to a 1-0 defeat at lowly Hereford United, meaning they now lead the Hatters by just one point, but the U’s do have a game in hand.

Town made nine changes from the virtual development team that beat Wrexham 2-0 in the FA Trophy the week before as only Joe Davis and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu retained their places.

Luton made a bright start as Gray fed Benson and his volley from an acute angle flew over the bar after just 16 seconds.

A mistake in the heart of the Heed defence then found Gray, but the Tynesiders recovered to clear as he looked to find Luke Guttridge.

The Tynesiders threatened for the first time on eight minutes when ex-Hatter Hatch’s looping header was cleared away from the line by Steve McNulty, before hesitancy in the Luton backline saw keeper Mark Tyler make an emergency clearance with Hatch bearing down on goal.

Gateshead enjoyed a better spell before Luton once again reasserted their dominance.

Mpanzu burst through but Gray was just unable to control his pass and, from the resulting corner, Adam Bartlett got down to save Davis’ header with Heed clearing just before Scott Griffiths could force the ball home.

But the Hatters did deservedly take the lead on 16 minutes when good work by Griffiths released Lawless, who showed real skill to create space on the byline and chip to the back post for Benson to direct home his header for his eighth goal of the season.

Town continued to press with Benson just unable to connect with Lawless’ cross with a diving header, while Jonathan Smith was crowded out as he tried to find space from Ronnie Henry’s intelligent pass.

The hosts doubled their lead on 27 minutes though when the Heed failed to clear the danger in their own six-yard box and the ball broke for Lawless to slide home.

In-form Tynesiders almost pulled a goal back on half an hour when a deep cross found Oster at the far post and his volley into the ground threatened to loop in as Tyler acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar.

However, it was 3-0 seconds later when a ball forward found Gray with just one man to beat and he powered to the edge of the area and unleashed an unstoppable blast past Bartlett.

With Luton now in complete control, Griffiths fired over, while Gray raced on to Lawless’ pass and skinned James Curtis but saw his dangerous cross was cut out with Benson lurking.

Phil Turnbull became the first man in the book on 36 minutes for a foul on Guttridge as the Hatters proceeded to turn on the style and play some champagne football.

The Heed rarely threatened as an ungainly headed effort from Hatch came off his shoulder and ran wide.

Luton continued to press as they finished strongly, Guttridge seeing a long-range curler blocked and close-range effort somehow repulsed after more good work by Gray.

And the Town faithful thought it was four in stoppage time when Smith played Benson through to toe-poke home only to see his effort ruled out by the linesman’s flag.

Bedevilled Gateshead left-back Sirrell was then booked retrospectively for a foul on Gray in the build-up as Town were warmly cheered in at the break by their buoyant fans.

Town continued in the same vein after the break as Smith powered forward and dragged wide four minutes in before Bartlett cleared straight at Guttridge but his first-time effort was right at the keeper.

But the Hatters did get their fourth with a fine team goal on the hour that started right from the back. Skipper Henry beat his man and his pass released Gray who skipped past his man before feeding Benson and, although his shot from the edge of the area was saved by Bartlett’s outstretched paw, Lawless was on hand to fire into the unguarded net.

It was almost one-way traffic as a great break by Mpanzu saw him release Gray but his 65th-minute effort was well saved by Bartlett and, as the young striker headed back into the mix, the grounded Guttridge somehow scooped the ball over the bar.

Henry was somewhat harshly booked for a rare foul before the Tynesiders hit back with 20 minutes to go when some shabby defending allowed Oster to produce a good low finish at the far post back across goal.

That effort though failed to fire the Heed as the energetic Smith again hared through the middle and found Benson whose shot from the edge of the area drew cries of handball that were waved away by the referee.

Gateshead used all their substitutions as they looked for a way back into the game, but it was Luton who continued to look the more likely to add to their score.

On a hat-trick Lawless saw his bouncing bomb on 77 minutes turned past the post by the keeper, before Matt Robinson replaced the industrious Guttridge.

A soft free-kick then saw the Heed grab a potential lifeline with six minutes to go when a deep free-kick was headed past the helpless Tyler by ex-Hatter Hatch.

Fearing a potential fightback Town’s fans got behind their team and the Hatters responded. Lawless had yet another effort saved with five minutes to go and from the subsequent corner Griffiths saw his header harshly chalked out for a foul in the box.

Professional Town proceeded to sensibly see out victory as Benson had a good chance deflected behind before running the clock down when needed.

Gray was stupidly booked for putting the ball into the gaping net after the referee’s whistle had gone before old foes Hatch and McNulty clashed before the final whistle. Having been separated the Heed target man continued to mouth off at Town’s charismatic centre-half before finally being booked as the final whistle quickly followed where news of leaders Cambridge’s defeat was met with a giant roar from the home faithful.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Jonathan Smith, Steve McNulty, Alex Lawless, Scott Griffiths, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Joe Davis, Luke Guttridge (Matt Robinson 79), Ronnie Henry (C), Paul Benson, Andre Gray. Substitutes not used: Jake Howells, Mark Cullen, Elliot Justham, Alfie Mawson.

Heed (4-4-2): Adam Bartlett, Carl Magnay, James Curtis, Colin Larkin (Rob Ramshaw 76), Phil Turnbull (C), Liam Hatch, Adam Boyes (Marcus Maddison 66), Craig Baxter, Josh Walker (Michael Cummins 76), Lewis Sirrell, John Oster. Substitutes not used: Jamie Chandler, Alex Baird.

Booked: Turnbull 36; Sirrell 45+2; Henry 68; Gray 90+4; Hatch 90+5.

Referee: D Cook.

Assistant Referees: D Spain and C Green.

Fourth Official: L Forrester.

Attendance: 6,913 (Gateshead 23).

Star Hatter: Alex Lawless. Linchpin for most of Luton’s best moves and took both of his goals superbly.