New boys Darren Currie and Alan Goodall gave Luton the perfect start to life back in League One with victory over Hartlepool United.

It was Luton's first win at Kenilworth Road since February and although, at times, Hartlepool threatened to cause the Hatters problems, Kevin Blackwell's team took their chances.

Firstly, Currie popped up with a 25-yard effort that found the bottom corner of the Hartlepool net before Goodall grabbed the winner six minutes from time with a well directed header.

Despite Hartlepool scoring with a late penalty, taken by Richard Barker, Luton held on for all three points.

Of Kevin Blackwell's nine summer signings, seven were handed their Luton debuts, equalling a Club record set in the 1978/79 season.

Goodall and Currie were joined by Chris Perry, Paul Peschisolido, Richard Jackson, David Edwards and Paul Furlong.

The Luton boss' other signings, Don Hutchison and Paul McVeigh were named amongst the substitutes.

From last seasons squad, only Chris Coyne, Steve Robinson, Matthew Spring and Dean Brill survived, while Kevin Foley was a surprise omission from the 16-man squad.

Hartlepool United, promoted from League Two last season, included new signings Jamie McCunnie and Robbie Elliott in their starting line-up.

And it was McCunnie who almost provided his side with the dream start on six minutes when his precise pass unlocked the Luton defence. It sent team-mate James Brown racing through on goal, but after rounding the onrushing Brill he sent his touch too wide and couldn't make Luton pay.

Hartlepool settled quickly as chances continued to come their way. On ten minutes, Barker dinked a ball between two Luton defenders and Ian Moore almost scored from an acute angle.

Willie Boland, the Hartlepool midfielder, was causing Luton problems in the early stages and it was his ball over the top of the Hatters defence on 17 minutes that saw the visitors go close once again, but Brill displayed great bravery to save at the feet of Brown.

A mix-up between Goodall and Brill four minutes later almost had serious consequences when, after Luton failed to clear a Hartlepool corner, the Hatters full-back sent his header back towards his own goal short, and Moore nipped in to direct an effort just wide.

Luton eventually ditched their long ball game, which was having little effect, and finally managed to offer some threat towards the Hartlepool goal.

On 24 minutes Spring delivered a telling cross from the left which eluded the head of Peschisolido, but found Edwards at the back post who riffled a shot over the crossbar from six yards.

The Hatters were finding more luck down the flanks and two minutes later Jackson delivered a cross from the right which was met by Furlong's powerful header, but the former QPR man was off target from eight yards.

Luton were enjoying their best spell of the match and made their possession count by making the breakthrough on 36 minutes. After Goodall regained possession with a timely tackle, the ball fell kindly to Currie, who turned to outwit two players and send a curling 25-yard effort into the corner of the net.

Hartlepool came close to finding an equaliser moments before the half time whistle when Elliott's ball from the left found Ritchie Humphreys, who should have done better when he slammed over a 25-yard shot over the bar.

AT HALF-TIME: LUTON 1 V 0 HARTLEPOOL

The visitors started the second half in a similar way they had opened the first and should have been in front 20 seconds after the restart when McCunnie cross from the right was flicked on by Barker and found Humphreys at the back post, whose low drive flashed across the Hatters goal.

Luton responded on 55 minutes when a cleverly devised free-kick set-up Goodall with a shot from the edge of the area, but his low drive was comfortably gathered by Hartlepool goalkeeper Aaran Lee-Barrett.

After being out of competitive action for ten months because of injury, Sam Parkin made his long awaited return to action when he replaced Furlong on 68 minutes.

The game soon was soon interrupted by a flurry of bookings which damaged the tempo of the match.

McVeigh was sent on for his Luton debut as Blackwell went in search of a second goal to kill off the game.

Hartlepool began to fade and only a wayward effort from Brown on 81 minutes was the closest the visitors had come to finding an equaliser for some considerable time.

The game was looked to be over when Goodall popped up six minutes from the end to head home Currie's corner, despite the efforts of Elliott to clear the ball off the line. The referee took the advice of his assistant and awarded the goal despite strong protests from the Hartlepool players.

But Luton were made to sweat for the three points after Liddle's through ball released Antony Sweeney, who was bundled over by Perry. The referee wasted little time in pointing to the spot and Barker smashed home from the spot.

But it was too little too late for the visitors as Luton ran up the clock and secured a perfect start to the new season.

AT FULL TIME: LUTON 2 V 1 HARTLEPOOL

Luton: Brill, Goodall, Perry, Coyne, Currie (Hutchison 90), Peschisolido (McVeigh 77), Jackson, Robinson, Edwards, Spring, Furlong (Parkin 68)

Subs not used: Talbot, Keane.

Bookings: Coyne (62), Spring (74)

Hartlepool: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Elliott, Boland (Sweeney 78), Nelson, Liddle, Humphreys (Porter 59), Barker, Brown, Antwi, Moore

Subs not used: Budtz, Clarke, Gibb

Bookings: Nelson (60)

Referee: Mr M Haywood

Attendance: 8,013 (608 from Hartlepool)