Luton returned to winning ways with a relatively comfortable win over an under-par Gillingham side.

A sublime strike from the returning David Bell combined with a first of the season from Paul Furlong and a penalty by Matthew Spring sealed the victory.

Not even Gillingham's first goal of the season, scored by Mark Bentley, which had cancelled out Bell's opener, looked to threaten this Hatters victory.

In actual fact, Luton should have had a greater advantage by half-time, missing a hatful of chances, but they were never really troubled by a winless Gillingham side.

Hatters handed a debut to on-loan goalkeeper David Forde after the 27-year-old shot-stopper completed his move from Cardiff City on Friday afternoon.

That meant Dean Brill failed to recover from a knock picked up in training and was one of three changes made by boss Kevin Blackwell.

Drew Talbot was handed his first league start of the season and replaced the injured Paul Peschisolido whilst Bell was recalled into the starting line-up as Steve Robinson was dropped to the bench.

Meanwhile, Gillingham boss Ronnie Jepson was without former Hatters pair Efetobore Sdoje (suspended) and Duncan Jupp (injured).

The visitors had yet to register a point or even a goal in their opening three games this season so it was little surprise when the Hatters made the brighter start.

It took only seven minutes for the Hatters to give the visitors a taste of what was to come, with the Gillingham defence locked deep in their own half from the opening whistle.

Bell, operating down the left flank, sent over a cross that was only half dealt with by the Gillingham defence and as Matthew Spring sent the loose ball back into the penalty area, Dave Edwards' turn and shot failed to trouble goalkeeper Simon Royce.

The Hatters continued to venture forward and skipper Chris Coyne was getting in on the action when on 11 minutes it was his turn and shot from Alan Goodall's flick that sailed inches over the Gillingham crossbar.

Currie was proving to be a menace down the left and a minute later he was involved in another chances for the home side when his cross was flicked on by Talbot, just inches beyond the reach of the Edwards who, had he made it, would have certainly scored into an empty net.

The visitors had rarely threatened and it wasn't until the 15th minute when Steve Lomas' long throw, which was flicked on by Delroy Facey, that Luton's new goalkeeper was called into action.

But that was as good as it got for Gillingham who soon found themselves behind on 17 minutes with a goal that came from nowhere.

Patient build-up play from the Hatters eventually saw the ball find the feet of Bell on the left. The former Rushden midfielder then cut inside from the flank, got between the presence of Nicky Southall and Barry Cogan, who were happy to back away from making a challenge, allowing Bell to drill a low shot that beat Royce at his near post.

It was probably to be expected as Luton's dominance had penned Gillingham in their own half for the duration of the opening 20 minutes.

So it was a surprise when the visitors did bring themselves back on level terms on 22 minutes, in what was a rare opportunity. A corner to the near post from Southall was met by the head of Bentley, who caught Forde out of position to score Gillingham's first goal of the season.

But that didn't distract Luton from their job and they soon got themselves back in front seven minutes later.

Currie continued to boss the game and it was his long range shot on 27 minutes that deflected off a packed Gillingham defence, allowing Talbot to nip in and chip over a cross that was headed home by Furlong after Royce was caught out of position.

The former QPR man almost doubled his advantage in spectacular style on 31 minutes when he latched onto Coyne's deep free-kick and, with his back to goal, somehow turned in a shot that whistled past Royce's right post.

Luton should have extended their lead as Talbot's delicate flick on 36 minutes forced Royce into a low save before Bell tried his luck from distance just moments before the half-time whistle.

AT HALF TIME: LUTON 2 V 1 GILLINGHAM

Gillingham striker David Graham gave Luton an early scare in the second-half when his run and shot from 25-yards rolled wide of Forde's right-hand post.

But the second half was unfortunately lacking in the entertainment value with the heat at Kenilworth Road probably having an affect on both sets of players.

There was concerns for the Hatters on 65 minutes when Goodall was sent rushing down the tunnel for treatment on a head wound.

Graham saw space between the Luton defence on 67 minutes but his low drive from 22-yards was comfortably gathered by Forde.

The visitors began to enjoy their best spell of the game with some constant pressure as Cogan smashed a first time volley on 75 minute over the Hatters crossbar from 25-yards.

Luton had rarely troubled the Gillingham goal in the second half, but on 78 minutes Furlong and Currie linked up well just outside the area and as the ball was cut across to Bell, the midfielder saw his goal bound effort take a deflection.

But the Hatters didn't have to wait long for their third goal of the afternoon when Richard Jackson's long ball down the right found Paul McVeigh, who was sent tumbling to the ground inside the area by Bently.

Referee Andy Penn wasted little time in pointing to the spot and despite Royce almost keeping Spring's spot kick out, the Luton midfielder but enough power behind the ball to the back of the net.

Luton could have added a fourth when McVeigh went close in the final stages, but the Hatters had already completed all of the hard work and deserved their vital three points.

AT FULL TIME: LUTON 3 V 1 GILLINGHAM

Luton: Forde, Goodall, Perry, Coyne, Bell, Currie, Jackson, Edwards (Hutchison 86), Talbot (McVeigh 65), Spring, Furlong (Andrew 81)

Subs not used: Robinson, Keane

Bookings:

Gillingham: Royce, Armstrong, Lomas, Cox, Crofts, Bentley, Facey, Southall, Brown (Hamilton 40), Graham (Cumbers 85), Cogan

Subs not used: Stone, Clohessy, Stille

Bookings: Cogan (31), Armstrong (83), Bentley (90)

Referee: Mr A M Penn

Attendance: 6,178 (508 from Gillingham)