Smith nets the winner as Hatters defeat Gillingham

Dan Walker was on target for Luton against Gillingham

A second half strike from young midfielder Charlie Smith saw Luton Town’s development side defeat Gillingham at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

The Hatters, watched by first team boss John Still, fell behind in the 23rd minute but were level just five minutes laterwhen a visiting defender inadvertently deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper.

A minute later the Town completed the turnaround and were ahead when Dan Walker latched on to long ball to round the keeper and tuck home well for a narrow angle.

Gills ended the first half strongly and continued from where they left off in the second half as the League Two side equalised just past the hour mark.

However, on 65 minutes, Smith’s low shot from 25 yards deceived the Gills keeper to put the Hatters 3-2 up.

The visitors pushed for a late equaliser but Dean Brill pulled off two good saves to keep them at bay whilst Brett Longden, who was offered a professional deal this week, also cleared a shot off the line.

Town: Dean Brill, Brett Longden, Tinashe Chabata, Alex Lacey, Jerome Jibodu, Charlie Smith (Leeroy Magaraushe), Adam Watkins, Trialist, JJ O’Donnell, Jake Woolley, Dan Walker.

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