David Connolly's second half goal for Sunderland proved to be the match winner as Luton's long trip to the North East ended in disappointment.

Early signs were encouraging as Dean Morgan struck his second Championship goal of the season on five minutes as the Hatters displayed an encouraging opening.

However a controversial goal from Daryl Murphy just two minutes later meant Luton's lead was short lived.

To their credit, Luton showed more urgency in the first half, creating a number of excellent chances with Rowan Vine guilty of missing two openings.

The Hatters failed to show the same tempo in the second half as Connolly's neat finish extended Sunderland's unbeaten run in the Championship.

Hatters boss Mike Newell was able to name the same starting line-up that claimed an impressive 2-0 victory over Preston North End last weekend.

That meant Morgan was fit to partner Rowan Vine in attack after the former Reading man suffered a hip injury in that win at Kenilworth Road.

Sunderland, unbeaten in their last last five league game, made two changes from the side that claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Norwich last weekend as Stanislav Varga and David Connolly returned to the starting line-up.

Luton made a bright opening and almost made the perfect start when Carlos Edwards was given freedom down the right flank to whip over a low cross that was almost turned home by Morgan.

The Hatters continued to insert some early pressure and the visitors soon found themselves ahead. Edwards received a pass on the edge of the Sunderland area and slipped a neat ball to Morgan, who saw his initial effort half cleared by the Black Cats defence.

However with Sunderland failing to clear their lines, the ball fell kindly back to Morgan who took one touch to fire an unstoppable shot beyond the reach of Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop on five minutes.

Luton dominated possession, but the home side were unfortunate not to have drawn level on seven minutes when former Cardiff midfielder Graham Kavanagh struck a half volley from 20-yards narrowly over the crossbar.

Moments later and Sunderland did find the target, although Luton were adamant that Murphy handled the ball in the build-up to his fifth goal of the season.

With Leon Barnett trying to loop the ball over Murphy's head, the Sunderland striker seemingly used to his hand to put the ball into his path and strike a shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

A pulsating game should have seen a third goal with Vine guilty of missing a fantastic chance for the visitors on 16 minutes.

Edwards' ball over the top of the Sunderland defence released the striker but, despite getting into a promising position, and with Fulop reluctant to come out of his goal, Vine struck the bouncing ball wide of the goal.

Sunderland carved open good opportunities of their own and Dean Kiely showed great bravery on 22 minutes when he saved well at the feet of Murphy, just as it looked as if the striker would find a way through.

Ahmet Brkovic tried his luck from distance when the Croatian midfielder saw a 25-yard curling first time shot comfortable saved by Fulop on 31 minutes.

However it was Murphy's pace that was causing Luton's defence problems and the striker almost bagged his second of the afternoon on 35 minutes when he collected Stephen Elliott's throw to turn and unleash a 25-yard shot that was parried by Kiely.

Despite Sunderland beginning to gain the upper hand, Luton had two good chance before the half time whistle.

Firstly, Vine spurned a good opening as Morgan's delightful flick released Edwards down the right whose squared the ball for the former Portsmouth man, but could only slice a shot off target from the edge of the area.

Then, just moments later, Lewis Emanuel managed to direct a long range free-kick on target with the defender striking a low shot through the wall, which Fulop got down well to claim at his near post.

AT HALF-TIME: SUNDERLAND 1 V 1 LUTON

After a slow start to the second half, Luton found themselves behind on 53 minutes. Danny Collins' deep free-kick wasn't dealt with by the Luton defence, which enabled Connolly to turn inside and fire home.

The second half saw Sunderland press Luton's defence deep into their own half and Kiely was forced to display great reactions on 56 minutes when he tipped over Murphy's close range shot over the crossbar.

Ross Wallace should have extended Sunderland's lead on 59 minutes when the winger failed to direct a header past Kiely after Elliott's pinpoint cross from the right flank.

Luton showed plenty of attacking threat, without really troubling the Sunderland defence. However, the visitors came close on 62 minutes when Vine flicked on Bell's right wing cross, which almost squeezed its way into the corner of the net.

Newell made a double change as Warren Feeney and Adam Boyd were thrown into the action as the Hatters tried to snatch an equaliser.

Luton came close to getting themselves back on level terms when on 81 minutes Bell's corner was headed over the bar by the onrushing Brkovic.

Luton went surging forward but couldn't find an equaliser despite the visitors bossing the closing stages of the game.

AT FULL TIME: SUNDERLAND 2 V 1 LUTON

Sunderland: Fulop, Caldwell, Whitehead, Elliott, Muhphy, Collins, Varga, Kavanagh, Connolly (Leadbitter 78), Wallace, Miller

Subs not used: Nyatanga, Carson, Elliott, Yorke

Bookings:

Luton: Kiely, Foley, Emanuel, Barnett, Heikkinen, Robinson, Morgan (Feeney 76), Edwards, Brkovic, Vine (Boyd 76), Bell

Subs not used: Beresford, Perrett, Langley

Bookings:

Referee: Mr Andy Penn

Attendance: 30,455