Luton Town 4 Forest Green Rovers 1

The Hatters come from a goal down to run out comfortable winners.

John Still, for this fixture, made one change from the eleven that started at Welling on Saturday, with Jake Howells coming in for Alex Wall. Howells selection meant that the 23 year-old was making his 275th Hatters performance.

First Half – Luton got the half underway attacking the Oak Road end with the ground reverberating to the sound of “Stand up for the Champions” ringing around Kenilworth Road. The first chance of the saw Gray fire an effort inches wide from a cross by Robinson that had only been half-cleared by the Forest Green defence.

With ten minutes completed Luton were clearly on top but hadn`t, as of yet, managed to trouble the Forest Green keeper. Robinson, as Luton pushed for the opening goal, saw a shot from Robinson blocked whilst Forest Green, on a rare foray forward, saw Rodgers curl a shot just over the bar. Rodgers, looking lively, won Forest Green a corner but the resulting header, from Rodgers, was glanced over the bar.

As we hit the twenty minute mark, clear-cut chances were still at a premium with Tyler easily claiming an effort from Norwood that was straight at him. Midway through the half Howells saw a cross, intended for Gray, cut out and his sliced shot was sent way wide. Attempts by Luton to find that defence splitting ball were being thwarted by Forest Green with Howells breaking clear but his final ball, intended for Gray, being cut out.

On the half hour mark Robinson found Cullen, breaking into the box, but he could only manage to win a corner that was easily cleared. In the 33rd minute Luton were to fall behind when a shot from Barry was adjudged to have hit the arm of McNulty. Up stepped Yan Klukowski to beat Tyler, who guessed the right way but was beaten by the power of the shot.

Luton 0 Forest Green 1 (Klukowski pen – 33 mins)

As half time approached, Oliver presented Luton with a corner and from the resulting set-piece, taken by Howells, Franks headed narrowly over the bar. Howells took the ball on a mazy run passing several defenders before being dispossessed whilst, down the other end Walker fired well over. Forest Green continued to push forward and Tyler did well to keep out an effort from that man Rodgers.

On the stroke of half time Luton were to equalize though when Gray was brought down in the area. Luton`s top-scorer got up and drilled the penalty past the Russell in the Forest Green goal for his 29th goal of the season but his first from the penalty spot.

Luton 1 Forest Green 1 (Gray pen – 45 mins)

Half Time – Luton 1 Forest Green 1

Second Half – Forest Green got the second half underway with Luton attacking the Kenilworth Road end. Our visitors had an early chance to regain the lead but Walker mishit his shot and Tyler claimed the second effort from Rodgers.

Three minutes into the half Alex Lacey replaced McNulty with the centre-back going off to a marvellous reception. Luton pushed forward and Robinson`s shot was deflected behind for a corner. With the action switching from end-to-end, Cullen saw a shot go wide after cutting inside.

Tyler was forced into action low down to keep out a 30 yard free kick from Barry whilst Russell was grateful to claim a deflected shot from Robinson. With fifty-six minutes completed Luton went in charge for the first time when Cameron McGeehan netted. The goal coming after Cullen had won possession, McGeehan saw his first saved and his follow up parried but roll over the line. The goal was Luton`s 99th of the season.

Luton 2 Forest Green 1 (McGeehan – 56 mins)

Four minutes later Luton made it 3-1 when Andre Gray got his 30th of the season and Luton`s 100th league goal when he headed home a delightful cross from Cullen.

Luton 3 Forest Green 1 (Gray – 60 mins)

A minute after scoring Gray was withdrawn to tumultuous applause form the Hatters faithful, to be replaced by Alex Wall. Howells pushing forward, hit a screamer that flew over the bar as Luton went looking for a fourth goal.

Rodgers tried to hoodwink the referee when he handled the ball as he put it into the net but the referee had spotted the infringement as the Forest Green striker was rightly booked. Howells saw his endeavour for the afternoon ended when he was replaced by Jon Shaw with seventy-three minutes gone.

Forest Green continued to try and get back into the game but Norwood`s effort was over the bar. With five minutes left Forest Green were still pushing forward but Klukwoski fired high and wide. A huge cheer greeted the announcement of John Still as the man-of-the-match.

The icing on the cake came when Luton scored a fourth when, in the 90th minute, .Mark Cullen went on mazy solo run and finished with aplomb.

Luton 4 Forest Green 1 (Cullen – 90 mins)

And then the party began with the Town being presented with the trophy in joyous scenes.