Luton sting Bees

Luton eased into the Carling Cup third round with a 3-0 win at Brentford, in what became a somewhat heated encounter with two red cards late on.

Goals from Dean Morgan, Warren Feeney and Rowan Vine saw off The Bees fairly limp challenge, but Leon Barnett`s red card for a professional foul will leave Mike Newell with even more serious problems in defence for Saturday`s visit by West Bromwich Albion.

Luton began the better and Brkovic had an early opportunity but his header looped harmlessly to keeper Nelson.

rentford should have opened the scoring when Gavin Tomlin`s drive was well saved by Marlon Beresford but he did not hold the shot and Simon Cox crashed a shot from the edge of the area against a post.

Brentford gained momentum from that exchange but on the break, David Bell strode forward and slipped a delightful pass through the home side`s defence to Morgan who drew the keeper and slipped the ball into the net.

Brentford seemed to go into damage limitation mode and Beresford had little to do as Luton kept possession very well, without looking like adding to their tally before the break.

The second half Luton turn the screw and Brkovic broke down the right and fizzed a cross into the area somehow eluding attempts by three defenders to clear it, and Warren Feeney was grateful to break his duck for 2006 with the easiest of chances at the far post for 2-0.

Leroy Rosenior, who had been less than impressed by referee Clive Penton, made one outburst too many and was sent packing from the touchline, and, as Luton continued to dominate proceedings, Moore made a cynical lunging challenge on substitute Rowan Vine, which earned him a red card and saw an unseemly mass confrontation between both sets of players.

Shortly after, an unnecessary foul on Callum Willock by Leon Barnett looked as though it would earn him a yellow card, but the official presumably deemed Barnett to be the last defender and showed a straight red card. If it was for a professional foul, it will earn him a place in the stand on Saturday, but if it was for serious foul play, then he could receive a 3 match ban. Either way, there seemed an element of evening up the punishments in a game, which had become heated in the latter stages.

However, the Hatters put the seal on a deserved victory when Rowan Vine slotted the third late on.