Luton redeemed themselves with a much improved second half performance, however it wasn't enough to earn themselves a point against Carlisle United.
The home side were quick to make their mark on the game with two goals in the first half.
The first came when, after some poor defending, Danny Livesey took a shot on 22 minutes which flew past the stunned Luton defence and keeper.
In the 30th minute the Cumbrians found the back of the net again. This time it was Peter Murphy whose header flew over Dean Brill and into the waiting goal.
The second half told a different story, with the Hatters coming out fighting.
David Bell found the back of the net on 51 minutes with a quick shot from 25 yards following some clever movement through the Luton midfield.
However it proved only to be a consolation goal as the Hatters failed to find an equaliser.
Luton made three changes to the side which lost to Southend last weekend.
Drew Talbot was dropped from the starting line-up allowing Luton striker Ryan Charles to make his full debut in the Hatters game against Carlisle.
Lewis Emanuel returned after suffering from a groin injury at the expense of Alan Goodall, while Sol Davis replaced Steve Robinson who is suffering from tonsillitis.
Carlisle named an unchanged side for their third consecutive match after their 2-0 victory over Brighton.
Despite a
confident start from the Hatters it took Luton 12 minutes to take their first shot on goal.
Bell found space past the Carlisle defenders before taking a shot from 25 yards, which fell wide of the goal.
The home side were quick to respond when David Raven crossed the ball to Simon Hackney who was waiting in the area. Despite only being eight yards out the striker shot the ball straight at Dean Brill, who promptly pushed it out of danger.
Carlisle continued to press and were rewarded when in the 22nd minute, when a well taken corner by Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, found unmarked Livesey who was allowed all the space necessary to find the back of the net.
More slack Luton defending allowed midfielder Simon Hackney to take a shot in the 29th minute, forcing Matthew Spring to make a goal line clearance.
A minute later, the Cumbrians doubled their lead when a long ball forward from Chris Lumsdon found the head of Murphy. Luton goalkeeper Brill rushed out to clear the ball but failed to prevent it flying over his head and into an empty goal.
Luton tried to put themselves back in the game when a corner from Bell saw captain Keith Keane take a shot from 12 yards after Matthew Spring's original shot was blocked in the 32nd minute.
HALF TIME Carlisle 2 - 0 Luton
Luton came out a different side, going straight on the attack, much to the home fans' disappointment.
Having failed to score earlier in the game, Bell made sure he didn't make the same mistake again and put the ball firmly in the back of the net from 25 yards on 51 minutes, after Carlisle failed to clear their lines.
With their new found confidence the Hatters tried to pull themselves level, when minutes later, Spring laid the ball onto Furlong who only managed to smash it over the crossbar.
However the home fans continued to put pressure on their players and Luton soon found themselves back on the defence.
Not to be deterred the Hatters seemed determined to make the most of any chances they had and McVeigh was unlucky when his shot was tipped over the bar on 62 minutes.
With both teams defending better than they could attack, neither managed to find away through.
AT FULL TIME: CARLISLE 2 V 1 LUTON
Carlisle United: Westwood, Raven, Bridge-Wilkinson, Livesey, Murphy, Lumsdon, Graham, Hackney, Horwood, G Smith (J Smith 74, Madine 90), Taylor (Carlton 79)
Subs not used: Howarth, Arnison
Bookings:
Luton Town: Brill, Perry, Bell, Jackson, Emanuel, Keane, Spring, Davis, McVeigh, Furlong (Parkin 79),Charles (Talbot 72)
Subs not used: Hutchison, Currie, Beavan
Bookings:
Referee: Mr G Laws
Attendance: 5,489
