Luton put an end to an unimpressive 15 games without a victory when they emerged victorious over Oldham.

The Hatters scored three goals without return in Mick Harfords 13th game in charge, proving that the 13 is not unlucky for all.

The first came from youth player Ryan Charles before Matthew Spring and Lewis Emanuel added their names to the score sheet.

The visitors, who had Reuben Hazell sent-off midway through the first-half, failed to impressive in front of goal leaving Dean Brill little to do throughout the game.

Luton named an unchanged line-up from the team which lost 2-1 to Carlisle United in midweek.

That meant Charles was handed his home debut and partnered Paul Furlong in attack.

Oldham, suffering from a crippling injury crisis with 19 senior players out through injury, were only able to name a 15-man squad.

They handed a debut to goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell, who was signed on Friday on an emergency loan from Sheffield Wednesday.

Luton started the better of the two sides and had their first real chance on five minutes when a well placed cross from David Bell found Charles in the area who headed the ball straight into the waiting arms of keeper O'Donnell.

A minute later and the Hatters were handed their second chance after once again Bell managed to pick out Furlong who ran into the area before trying to cross the ball to Paul McVeigh. However the Oldham defence were determined to make it difficult for the home side and cleared the ball before McVeigh could run onto it.

Luton took the lead on twenty minutes when Charles picked up a ball played forward by Richard Jackson. The 18-year-old chested the ball down before turning and striking home his first goal for the Club from just outside the area.

Oldham desperately tried to get themselves back in the game and had the perfect chance when in the 30th minute Deane Smalley had a left footed shot from 25 yards.

But the home side doubled their lead after Hazell brought down Furlong inside the area. The referee was quick to show a red card and the Hatters had a penalty. Spring stepped up to the spot and calmly placed the ball straight past the keeper who dived in the opposite direction.

Two minutes later and the Hatters did it again. This time it was Keane's long ball that found its way to Emanuel who smashed the ball onto the inside of the far post and into the goal.

McVeigh tried his luck on 44 minutes and was unlucky when, after an impressive run past the Oldham defence, his shot went wide of the goal.

The visitors had their best chance of the game so far in stoppage time of the first half when Smalley received a through ball before taking a shot. Dean Brill rushed out to make an impressive save before Keane made the final clearance.

HALF TIME LUTON 3-0 OLDHAM

Luton started the second half in a similar fashion making their first attack on goal just two minutes in. Spring was quick to pass the ball onto substitute Sam Parkin who knocked it back to Bell. The midfielder tried to increase their lead but had his shot caught by Oldham's on-loan keeper.

As the game began to settle down neither teams seemed able to create any chances.

In the 63rd minute a cross from the right by Bell lead to a header from Parkin which skimmed the front of the goal.

Dean Brill made his first save of the second half when on 73 minutes Leon Constantine tried his luck from distance.

Constantine tried to improve on his earlier shot in the 81st minute when he volleyed the ball goalwards from 10 yards. However Luton shot-stopper Brill pulled of an impressive save to keep a clean sheet.

In the closing minutes of the game Spring took the final shot but saw his attempt caught by O'Donnell.

FULL TIME LUTON 3-0 OLDHAM

Luton: Brill, Perry (Hutchison 46), Bell, Jackson, Emanuel, Keane, Spring, Davis (O'Leary 71), McVeigh, Furlong (Parkin 45), Charles

Subs not used: Talbot, Andrew

Bookings: None

Oldham: O'Donnell, Eardley, Kalala (Wolfenden 86), Stam, Jarrett (Thompson 34), Lomax, Hazell, McDonald, Taylor, Smalley, Constantine

Subs not used: Kelly, Bell

Bookings: None

Sent Off: Hazell 31

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire)

Attendance: 5,417 (340)