Paul Furlong rolled back the years as he continued his remarkable start to the season against Port Vale.

The 38-year-old, released by QPR in the summer, displayed clinical finishing in front of goal to sweep home a David Bell corner to claim his fifth of the season on the half-hour mark.

And that was added to in spectacular style when the impressive Bell unleashed a left footed drive from 25-yards that was worthy of winning any game.

Port Vale managed a late consolation through Luke Rodgers, but the defeat heaped more pressure on manager Martin Foyle, who now sees his side stuck in the relegation battle.

Vale, who were without a win at Kenilworth Road in 109 years, endured a miserable afternoon and were up against it for most of the game after Ashley Westwood was sent-off with a straight red card late in the first half.

Hatters boss Kevin Blackwell kept faith with the same side that narrowly lost to Tranmere Rovers last Friday.

That meant Dean Morgan kept his place in a five man midfield, as Darren Currie had to settle for a place amongst the substitutes whilst Paul Furlong was the only recognised striker in the starting line-up.

Port Vale, with only one win and three goals scored all season, made three changes from the side which lost to Nottingham Forest last weekend, which included Luke Rodgers, scorer of all Vale's goals this season, returning to the starting line-up.

Luton almost made the perfect start to proceedings when floated over a corner which was met by Alan Goodall's downward header that zipped off the surface and crashed against the crossbar.

The former Rochdale man then almost turned provider when he ventured forward and skipped inside his marker to release the unmarked Matthew Spring in the middle, but the midfielder scuffed his shot wide of the Vale goal.

Despite Luton's promising start, there was a rather subdued atmosphere around Kenilworth Road, with only a handful of Vale fans failing to generate much noise that, in turn, failed to get the Hatters supporters into vocal action.

Luton were relying on their set-pieces to cause Port Vale problems and on 12 minutes, Bell's free-kick from the right saw Dave Edwards narrowly miss the target with a towering header at the near post.

It was the same combination again, just six minutes, later that came close to give Luton the lead, this time Edwards sending his header over the crossbar from ten yards.

Vale had failed to show any dominance in front of goal, but with their first real attack of the game, they almost broke the deadlock. David McGoldrick was given time on the ball to turn inside his marker and drill a low shot that flashed wide of David Forde's goal.

But that was as good as it got for the visitors as Luton were soon in front. Bell was the provider as his corner on the half hour mark was swept home by Furlong at the near post, leaving Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon with no chance.

The Hatters should have doubled their advantage on 38 minutes when Furlong and Edwards combined to release Spring scampering through on goal, but the former Leeds midfielder struck the side netting.

It got worse for Vale just three minutes before the half time whistle when they were reduced to ten men. Not many inside the ground could work out what Westwood was sent off for, but referee Paul Melin had no hesitations in showing the defender a straight red card, which could have only been for dissent.

AT HALF TIME: LUTON 1 V 0 PORT VALE

But despite going down to ten men, Vale were determined to make a fight of it and only 23 seconds had surpassed in the second half when they almost got themselves back on level terms.

Vale midfielder Paul Edwards was sent scampering down the left and his cross was met by a diving header from Rodger, who could only watch as his effort flashed the wrong side of a post.

Luton took a while to get into their stride but Furlong was inches to grabbing his second when his close range header on 57 minutes, from Morgan's cross, was tipped onto the crossbar from Anyon.

The Luton striker thought he had got his second of the afternoon on the hour mark when he bundled home Bell's cross from the right, but he was denied by the referee, who ruled out the goal and then showed him a yellow card for using his hand in the goal.

The Hatters were somehow left wondering how they were not further in front and only a brave save from Anyon denied them a second on 69 minutes. Furlong's delicate flick opened up the play for Spring who fed through a pass to Bell, who riffled a shot straight at Anyon.

But the former Rushden midfielder was continuing to terrorise the Vale defence with his pace and trickery and on 72 minutes, he got to the by-line, dinked back a cross which was blasted over the target by Spring.

Luton then wrapped up the win in spectacular style with a goal worthy of winning any match. And it came from the man who had given everything to the Hatters cause all afternoon as Bell popped up with a thunderbolt with just four minutes remaining, beating Anyon from 25-yards.

Vale did find a consolation when Rodgers' header from six yards found a way through, but it was far too late from the visitors as Luton held on for all three points.

AT FULL TIME: LUTON 2 V 1 PORT VALE

Luton: Forde, Goodall, Perry, Coyne, Morgan (Currie 65), Bell, Jackson, Robinson, Edwards (McVeigh 71), Spring, Furlong (Andrew 87)

Subs not used: Talbot, Fojut

Bookings: Furlong (61)

Port Vale: Anyon, Pilkington, Harsley (Miller 52), Rodgers, Edwards, Whitaker, McGregor, Rocastle, Westwood, Willock (Richards 61), McGoldrick

Subs not used: Talbot, Hulbert, Tudor.

Bookings: Richards (73)

Sent-Off: Westwood (42)

Referee: Mr P Melin

Attendance: 6,084 (138 from Port Vale)