Still era starts with well-deserved Stockport County win

Rejuvenated Hatters put in a much-improved performance to mark John Still’s first game in charge with a well-earned 1-0 win at Stockport County this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

The victory ended Town’s bleak run of seven league games without a win which dated back to the 6-1 home win over Barrow on January 8.

It was also Luton’s first clean sheet in the league since the goalless draw at AFC Telford on January 15 as the Still era got off to the perfect start – although Luton still find themselves 13 points off the play-offs.

Luton’s winner came moments before half time through Jake Howells’ well-struck strike and they even had the luxury of seeing Richard O’Donnell save Stuart Fleetwood’s penalty as their hosts failed to create even one real chance on the day at Edgeley Park.

Playing in white for the first time this season, Town made two changes to the side that succumbed 2-0 at Braintree Town on Saturday. Centre-half Wayne Thomas was suspended and striker Scott Rendell dropped back to the bench as Janos Kovacs and Howells both came back into the starting XI.

New signing from Maidenhead United, striker Alex Wall, travelled with the squad but had to be content with a watching berth from the sidelines.

Nice play by the Hatters saw Howells find Andre Gray in the box on six minutes, but the youngster was unable to turn and get his shot away.

Danny Hattersley then looked like he had sprung Town’s offside trap seconds later, only to be stopped by a very late flag.

Luton had a great chance to take the lead on nine minutes when Alex Lawless strode through the middle and slipped in Gray and the striker’s low show was well saved by the legs of O’Donnell.

Jon Nolan dragged an effort wide in reply, but it was Luton who were playing the better stuff.

Gray raced on to Fleetwood’s throw on 23 minutes and Howells was unable to turn home at the near post.

Seconds later Luton though won a penalty when Gray tricked his way into the box and had his legs were whipped from under him by Matt Mainwaring.

Fleetwood stepped up to take it but O’Donnell gussed which way he was going and got down well to save his tame effort as Luton’s woes from the spot continued.

O’Donnell’s kicking looked dodgy all afternoon and continually put the hosts in trouble in the first half.

Howells was putting in some good set-pieces and the visitors went close again on 37 minutes when his delivery found Steve McNulty at the near post and his effort was deflected behind.

Fleetwood was harshly flagged offside from a clever Howells pass, while Jonathan Smith lacked composure when he had a chance to play Gray through.

In stoppage time Town went close when Fleetwood found Howells after a driving run, but the Welsh U21’s shot as well blocked.

However, Luton did take the lead in the second of stoppage time when the pair combined again in almost carbon copy fashion and this time Howells’ low drive found the bottom corner to give Luton a well-deserved lead at the break.

Town continued to be the better team after the break as McNulty was just unable to get on the end of Howells’ 51st-minute corner.

Greg Taylor replaced the struggling Janos Kovacs on the hour as Lathaniel Rowe-Turner moved to centre-half and Luton threatened again as Fleetwood neatly touched on Lawless’ ball but O’Donnell just beat Gray to the loose ball.

Howells could only looped a header tamely at the keeper from Lawless’ fine centre and, although County looked dangerous going forward, it was still the Hatters creating the better chances.

And they should have doubled their lead on 70 minutes when Gray’s first-time pass released Howells but his driven cross-shot was just beyond the reach of Rendell sliding at the far post.

Gray looked to be tugged in the box with 15 minutes to go but nothing was given, before he was replaced by Dan Walker soon after.

Walker did well to win a free-kick late on but Howells’ effort from the edge of the area flashed over with three minutes to go.

Three minutes of time were added and there were no scares as Luton professionally wound the clock down to triumph.

And Town’s stars huddled together round their new boss at the end as they celebrated their first away league in 10 attempts.

Hatters (4-4-2): Richard O’Donnell, Andy Halls (Adnan Cirak 80), Sean Newton, Johan Hammar, James Tunnicliffe, Danny Hattersley, Sam Sheridan, Mark Cullen (Danny Whitehead 57), Jon Nolan, Matt Mainwaring (Simon Hackney 57), Paul Marshall. Substitutes not used: Ian Ormson, Jordan Fagbola.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Steve McNulty, Janos Kovacs (Greg Taylor 60), Alex Lawless, Jake Howells, Stuart Fleetwood (Scott Rendell 67), Arnaud Mendy, Jonathan Smith, Ronnie Henry (C), Andre Gray (Dan Walker 76). Substitutes not used: JJ O’Donnell, Dean Brill.

Booked: Cullen 44.

Referee: Richard Martin.

Assistant Referees: Simon Brown and Matthew Jones.

Fourth Official: Simon Mather.

Attendance: 4,074 (Luton 372).

Star Hatter: Jake Howells. His best performance by a mile in a long time.