David Bell was also amongst the scorers for the Hatters, striking with just three minutes remaining, to notch his third goal of the campaign.

But Forest made a fight of it and grabbed a late consolation through Julian Bennett's eight-yard strike.

For Perry, it was his first goal in over two years as he stooped to guide a diving header into the Forest net from Darren Currie's cross.

Bell then seemingly put the game beyond doubt when he calmly slotted beyond the reach of Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith, before Bennett struck.

This was Forest's first league away defeat of the season, and maintained Luton's impressive home form - this victory resulting in their eighth win from ten matches at Kenilworth Road.

Luton made four changes to the side that were defeated by Crewe at the weekend as boss Kevin Blackwell reverted to playing just one recognised striker.

Dean Brill returned to the Hatters goal following Ben Alnwick's recall to Tottenham, while Dave Edwards, Chris Coyne and Steve Robinson all returned to the fold.

The changes meant Perry was shifted to right-back as Edwards was occupied as the floating midfielder that would support Paul Furlong in attack.

Nottingham Forest named a relatively strong line-up, which included the likes of Neil Lennon and Kris Commons, although striker Nathan Tyson missed out through injury.

An upbeat atmosphere inside Kenilworth Road spurred both sets of players from the start. With Forest fans filling their allocation of seats, this had the makings of a entertaining encounter.

Luton started brightly and after Matthew Spring was sent tumbling to the ground, Currie tried his luck from 25-yards with a left footed free-kick that was always rising high over the crossbar.

The Hatters kept their foot on the gas and seemed first to every loose ball, and when Perry went scampering down the right on 12 minutes, his floating cross was almost headed home by Furlong, but the striker's opportunity from ten yards fell straight into the hands of Smith.

Three minutes later and it was Coyne's turn to venture into the Forest half and after capitalising on some sloppy Forest defending, he turned a pass into the path of Edwards, who should have done better from the edge of the area as his first time shot sailed high and wide.

The Hatters continued to dominate possession as Forest struggled to get out of their half, but on 22 minutes the visitors should have done better having caught Luton on the counter attack.

After Jaroslaw Fojut had a shot blocked by the Forest defence, Junior Agogo drove forward and slipped a pass out to Grant Holt, whose cross from the left was cut out by a last ditch tackle from Robinson.

Luton responded by going close again on 27 minutes. This time Currie's corner was met by a downward header from Coyne, that was kept out by a theatrical save from Smith.

A well worked free-kick routine on 37 minutes saw the Hatters go close as Spring teed up Currie who narrowly curled a shot wide of Smith's right post from 20-yards out.

But for all of Luton's attacking play, it was Forest who had the best chance of the half when on 42 minutes, Sammy Clingan's sweetly driven free-kick was kept out by Brill's impressive save, diving low to his left inside a crowded penalty area.

AT HALF TIME: LUTON 0 V 0 FOREST

Luton made the perfect start to the second half by taking the lead six minutes after the restart.

David Bell's cross from the left eluded everyone, but when Currie whipped the ball back into the area, Perry capitalised on some hesitation in the Forest defence to stoop with a diving header as the ball crept over the line, despite the efforts of Smith.

The Hatters refused to lie down and almost doubled their advantage immediately when Furlong headed straight into the arms of Smith from Currie's pinpoint cross.

But Forest were starting to get themselves back in the match and Commons tried his luck from distance on the hour mark, but the midfielder couldn't keep his ambitious effort on target.

The second half failed to really come to life and despite a long range shot from Bell on 71 minutes, neither side looked likely to score.

That was until Brill was called into action on 73 minutes when he bravely came out to prevent Agogo scoring a certain goal after the striker was put clear following a delicate flicked pass from Holt.

Furlong had a chance to settle the game when he only needed to find direction on a header as Currie played in a perfect cross from the left.

The game seemed to be going right down to the wire until Bell managed to put the contest beyond doubt, calmly slotting past Smith with three minutes remaining after good work involving Spring and Furlong.

But Forest refused to lie down and grabbed a late consolation as Luton were left to hold on for the win. A corner into the area saw Spring clear off the line, before the loose ball fell to Bennett who drilled home from ten yards.

However, the visitors couldn't force an equaliser as Luton held on for a much needed win.

AT FULL TIME: LUTON 2 V 1 FOREST

Luton: Brill, Goodall, Perry, Coyne, Bell, Currie, Robinson, Edwards, Spring, Furlong, Fojut

Subs not used: Hutchison, Morgan, Jackson, Andrew

Bookings: Perry (41)

Nottingham Forest: Smith, Wilson, Chambers, Breckin, Commons, Holt, Cohen, Clingan (Morgan 85), Lennon (McGugan 62), Agogo, Bennett

Subs not used: Sinclair, Thornhill, Roberts

Bookings: Wilson (39)

Referee: Mr C Boyeson

Attendance: 8.524 (1,800 from Forest)