Reading comfortably extended their unbeaten league run to 21 games as Luton's lack of attacking ideas failed to trouble the league-leaders.

Although Reading's opening goal had a slice of good fortune when Steve Sidwell's shot took a wicked deflection, Luton shot themselves in the foot when some sloppy defending gifted Dave Kitson his ninth goal of the season, which was followed by a late strike from Kevin Doyle.

Luton had chance to get themselves back into the game when they found themselves a goal behind but the visitors never really looked as if they would claw their way back in, despite controlling large periods of the second-half.

Luton went into the game without centre-half Chris Coyne who failed to shake off the niggling knee injury he picked up during Saturday's win over Crystal Palace at Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters were boosted by the return of Kevin Nicholls from suspension but the Luton skipper had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes with Peter Holmes continuing his role in the heart of midfield.

Reading made four changes from the starting line-up that were defeated by Arsenal on Tuesday night in the Carling Cup as Marcus Hahnemann, Glen Little, Bobby Convey and Doyle returned to the side that won at Plymouth in their last league encounter.

The home-side almost made the perfect start when, inside the opening three minutes, Ibrahima Sonko lost his marker from a corner but saw his downward header neatly saved by Marlon Beresford.

Luton had rarely threatened in the opening stages of the game and a tame header from Dean Morgan, making his first league appearance at the Madejski Stadium since his move from Reading, on seven minute was all the visitors could muster.

Luton's first effort on target arrived on 12 minutes but Hahnemann was hardly troubled as Holmes tried an ambitious effort from 25-yards, after collecting a pass from Morgan's downward header.

After 15 mins: Reading 0 v 0 Luton

A mix-up in the Reading defence almost sparked the game into life on 17 minutes. Morgan's floated pass released Enoch Showunmi and although Hahnemann was quickest to the loose ball, his half clearance fell to the feet of Carlos Edwards whose first time shot was comfortably saved by the Reading goalkeeper as he scampered back to his line.

The visitors began to enjoy more the possession although Hahnemann had rarely been troubled. Showunmi was doing his best to cause mayhem whilst Vine was trying to lighten up proceedings.

A mistake from Morgan on 26 minutes almost gave Reading the lead. Glen Little robbed the Luton midfielder of the ball, went charging into the box but the final pass across the face of the goal wasn't pocked home from a few yards, despite a number of Reading players waiting in anticipation.

After 30 mins: Reading 0 v 0 Luton

A spectacular effort from Convey, collecting a pass from 25-yards out, almost broke the deadlock as the midfielder struck a first-time shot which would have certainly tested Beresford had it not been for the bravery of Markus Heikkinen.

Reading's best effort of the game was quickly followed up by a good chance from Luton as, eventually, this contest began to pick up pace. A well-worked move from the visitors saw Morgan hook a ball back into a dangerous area and his pass was almost finished off by Vine, whose first time volley was splendidly saved by Hahnemann.

The deadlock was broken in unfortunate circumstances for Luton as Reading got the breakthrough. Sidwell's long-range effort, on 43 minutes, from 30-yards took a huge deflection off Heikkinen, deceived Beresford and found the back of the net.

AT HALF TIME: READING 1 V 0 LUTON

The first real effort of the second-half arrived on 50 minutes and Luton should have got themselves back on level terms. Edwards' deep cross from the right of midfield eluded the Reading defence and as Morgan crept around the back, his downward header was saved by Hahnemann.

Moments later, Sidwell almost grabbed his second of the game but his shot from 20-yards hit the roof of the net, taking a slight deflection on its way.

There was more urgency in Luton's football as the visitors pinned Reading in their own half in the early stages of the second-half.

AFTER 60 MINS: Reading 1 v 0 Luton

Showunmi brushed the side netting on 61 minutes as Luton continued to look more promising on the attack.

A succession of corners for Luton brought about a sustained period of pressure although the Hatters still couldn't find a way through a packed solid Reading defence.

Vine's tame header on 70 minutes from Edwards' cross did little to trouble Hahnemann although Luton continued to enjoy the better spell of possession and opportunities.

AFTER 75 MINS: Reading 1 v 0 Luton

Despite controlling most of the possession in the second-half, Luton slipped further behind on 76 minutes. Little's in swinging free-kick was met by the head of Kitson, who beat the onrushing Beresford to double Reading's advantage.

Reading soon began to take control with the game slipping out of Luton's reach and Kitson had another effort that struck the side netting.

Reading added a third in the final stages of the game to compound Luton's miserable afternoon as Doyle struck with a header after fine work down the wing from Little.

AT FULL TIME: READING 3 V 0 LUTON

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Sidwell, Sonko, Little (Oster 90), Lita (Kitson 63), Harper, Ingimarsson, Convey (Hunt 66), Doyler

Subs not used: Stack, Makin

Bookings:

Luton: Beresford, Foley, Underwood, Heikkinen (Barnett 69), Robinson, Edwards, Holmes, Perrett, Morgan (Feeney 83), Vine (Howard 73), Showunmi

Subs not used: Brill, Nicholls,

Bookings:

Referee: Mr M Jones

Attendance: 19,478

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