Luton 3 Nuneaton 0

A hat-trick from Andre Gray was enough to give Luton all three points in a game that was temporarily suspended courtesy of a vicious thunderstorm.

For this fixture, with Luton Town getting back into league action, John Still chose to give Cameron McGeehan his Hatters debut, after joining the club on loan from Norwich. Ryan Inniss, another loan player, this time from Crystal Palace, partnered Steve McNulty at the heart of the Hatters defence.

Fraser Franks, another new acquisition, was on the bench as was Kane Ferdinand, as Still went looking for the three points that would keep Luton`s promotion charge on track.

The first half saw Luton attacking the Oak Road End, chances, for either side, were scarce in the opening ten minutes and it was to be Nuneaton that created the first half chance but McNulty was on hand to block an effort from Moult.

The visitors had another half chance on 16 minutes but Brown couldn`t get enough purchase behind his shot and Tyler easily saved. John Still made a slight tactical change, moving Guttridge into the centre and vacating the right flank.

Luton pressed forward and Howells almost created an opening but Gray saw his subsequent cross hit Guttridge and go behind for a goal-kick. Midway through the half Luton started to get on top, another move almost got Gray loose whilst a deep cross from Gray was headed back across goal by Howells for McGeehan to volley over.

A free flowing move, in the 34th minute, saw Guttridge drag a shot just wide. Robinson then did well to find Gray with a wonderful pass but his fierce shot from an acute angle was over the bar. Five minutes before the break a flowing move involving Benson, Howells and Griffiths earned Luton a corner but the visitors defence cleared it with ease.

As half time approached Howells and Griffiths combined again but Benson`s shot flew over the bar. One added minute was played out but it was to remain goal-less at half time although Hatters fans hearts might have skipped a beat when Walker curled a shot just over.

Half Time – Luton 0 Nuneaton 0

Luton got the action underway at the start of the second half, this time attacking the Kenilworth Road end. The weather greeted the resumption of play with thunderclaps and flashes of lightning. With the rain pouring down though Luton took the lead with the goal coming from Andre Gray before, with the conditions worsening, the game was temporarily halted.

After a six minute delay play finally got back underway. Incidentally, the strike from Gray was his 15th of the season and came after a flick on from Benson that Gray rifled home with a low shot.

On the hour mark another slick pass from Guttridge saw Gray earn a corner, from the resulting set-piece Luton were to double their lead when Andre Gray got his second of the game and 16th of the season. Somehow Nuneaton kept out a header from Inness but the ball was crossed back in by Griffiths for Gray to score from close range.

Henry`s industry almost saw Luton make it 3-0 but Howells saw his shot saved by the keeper. Gray had a chance to claim a hat-trick but couldn`t get the ball around the keeper and the chance was gone. Nuneaton, trying to get back into the game saw Moult curl an effort over the bar.

With 77 minutes played Andre Gray was to get his hat-trick when the striker was put clean through and made no mistake with his finish., 17 goals for the striker so far this season. With 11 minutes to go John Still withdrew Benson and introduced Cullen.

Howells netted after an effort from Cullen had been saved but the offside flag was raised. It was the last action for Howells who had to go off injured with Martin coming on in his place.