Luton warmed the hearts of their supporters with a dominating performance over Brighton on a bitterly cold evening at Kenilworth Road.

Luton were in control of this one-sided affair from start to finish and never looked as if they would be troubled by a Brighton team who look as if they will have a fight on their hands to see off relegation.

Steve Robinson was the pick of the Luton players as his hard-working performance resulted in the Northern Ireland international notching his first goal of the season with a wonderful lob midway through the second-half.

The home-side were already two goals to the good when a controversial opener from Steve Howard was followed up shortly after by Warren Feeney's close range effort that effectively killed off any hopes Brighton had of getting into the game.

Luton welcomed Kevin Nicholls back to their starting line-up after the skipper returned from a one-match suspension whilst Warren Feeney was recalled to replace Rowan Vine, who dropped to the bench.

Brighton handed a debut to Argentinean striker Federico Turienzo whilst Mark McCammon made his first start for the club since August after recovering from an ankle injury.

After a late inspection of the surface by referee Anthony Bates, the hard work of the ground staff was rewarded when the match got the go ahead. Heavy snow had fallen overnight on top of the protected covers, which had been in place over the festive holidays, but thanks to the help of some volunteers, the snow was shifted and the pitch remained in mint condition.

The opening ten minutes saw a match of few chances as Luton struggled to get into their stride. The only notable effort from the either team arrived on eight minutes when Robinson's surging run into the heart of Brighton's defence resulted in the midfielder firing straight into the arms of Michel Kuipers, the visitors' goalkeeper.

Moments later, Howard almost put Luton in front when he met Carlos Edwards' cross from the right flank with a downward header that somehow bounced over the crossbar.

Brighton showed glimpses of threatening to break the deadlock but, despite some nervy moments for the home side, Marlon Beresford in the Luton goal enjoyed a quiet start to the game.

AFTER 15 MINS: Luton 0 v 0 Brighton

Luton's pressure got its reward on 16 minutes when the deadlock was broken in controversial style. Brighton were adamant that the ball had gone out of play when Kevin Nicholls' cross was helped on by Feeney and turned into the back of the net from on the goal line by Howard.

Both linesman and referee stuck to their decision and allowed the goal to stand as Howard celebrated his eighth strike of the season.

Luton continued to create the greater opportunities and on 18 minutes, Edwards saw a low drive travel inches wide of the Brighton goal.

Barely had Brighton threatened but the long ball was certainly proving to be dangerous as Markus Heikkinen and Chris Coyne continued to be caught out of position.

AFTER 30 MINS: Luton 1 v 0 Brighton

Luton began to stretch the Brighton defence and Feeney almost saw sight of goal on 35 minutes but the Northern Ireland international dragged his shot wide of the target from an acute angle.

Brighton were dealt a blow on 40 minutes when Turienzo was forced to be withdrawn when pulling up with an injury after almost beating Luton's offside to trap to collect a delightful long ball from Adam El-Abd.

Luton doubled their advantage on 43 minutes and their was no controversy about this goal with Feeney stabbing the ball home from close range after Edwards twice saw his shot cleared off the line by El-Abd.

The two goal advantage was almost cut in half just seconds later but Luton were indebted to Beresford who saved at the feet of Brighton's Colin Kazim Richards who beat Luton's offside trap to gain a clear sight of goal.

AT HALF-TIME: LUTON 2 V 0 BRIGHTON

Refusing to rest on their two goal lead, Luton began the second half in the same fashion that they finished the first. On 47 minutes, Brkovic went close with a left footed drive that needed a faint touch from a team-mate to extend the home sides advantage.

Edwards, who caused Brighton so many problems in the first half, was again terrorising the visitors defence and his silky skills almost saw the Trinidad and Tobago star find the back of the net with a powerful shot from the edge of the area that was parried by Kuipers.

Sebastian Carole, the Brighton striker, almost caught Beresford napping on 54 minutes when his free kick nearly found its way past the Luton goalkeeper's near post.

However Luton continued to boss proceedings and on 58 minutes a clever move involving Nicholls, Howard and Feeney almost resulted in the latter getting on the end of a Brkovic cross.

AFTER 60 MINS: Luton 2 v 0 Brighton

Brighton fans were heading for the exits when Robinson extended Luton's lead on 62 minutes. Luton threw bodies forward and with Brighton struggle to cope with their numbers, Dean Hammond's weak clearance fell to the feet of Robinson who curled an effort over the head of Kuipers to celebrate his first goal of the season.

Beresford was once again at his very best to prevent Alexandra Frutos from bringing Brighton back into the match when the Luton goalkeeper saved at the feet of the striker who had timed his run to perfection.

AFTER 75 MINS: Luton 3 v 0 Brighton

Luton showed their determination to extend on their lead when, on 77 minutes, Robinson almost cracked home a spectacular volley from the edge of the area after receiving a knockdown from Enoch Showunmi.

Showunmi had replaced Feeney as a substitute midway through the half and the striker should have extended Luton's lead when his surging run and shot beat Kuipers but rolled inches wide of the target.

This was an evening when Luton could have certainly added more to their tally but it was the return of the match-winning performance that will have no doubt pleased Hatters boss Mike Newell and the club's supporters.

AT FULL-TIME: LUTON 3 V 0 BRIGHTON

Luton: Beresford, Foley, Coyne, Underwood, Edwards, Nicholls, Feeney (Showunmi 76), Robinson, Brkovic (Morgan 70) Howard (Vine 76), Heikkinen.

Subs not used: Brill, Barnett

Bookings: Underwood (56)

Brighton: Kuipers, Mayo (Knight 58), Turienzo (Richards 41), Hart, Hammond, Carpenter, Butters, McCammon (Frutos 58), Carole, El-Abd, McShane

Subs not used: Reid, Chaigneau.

Bookings: El-Abd (29), Kazim-Richards (84)

Referee: Mr A Bates

Attendance:

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