Three goals in the space of 30 first-half minutes ended the Hatters' first involvement in the FA Trophy at the first hurdle.

Unbeaten in nine previous cup fixtures stretching back 13 months, Cambridge raced into a 3-0 half-time advantage with strikers Danny Crow and Chris Holroyd punishing the Town.

United took the lead on six minutes when Crow - who scored twice against the Town at Kenilworth Road last month - stole a march ahead of the Town defence to divert the ball beyond Kevin Pilkington from close range following Courtney Pitt's teasing, curling left-wing free-kick.

The Town, to their credit, were unfortunate to find themselves behind as they pieced together a number of intricate passing moves with Kevin Gallen at the heart of most.

However, the U's took further control of proceedings when leading goal grabber Holroyd pounced twice in the space of six minutes to put the hosts firmly in control of matters.

Firstly, the striker nodded home from six yards with Pitt again the provider with a cross from the left and then, somewhat fortunately, was able to pass the ball past Pilkington from close range after he took advantage of a lucky deflection that found its way to him after Wayne Hatswell's long range effort was blocked by Alan White.

Richard Money rang the changes at the break introducing Matthew Barnes-Homer and Tom Craddock for Shane Blackett and Alan White.

While both made a difference to the Town's attack, Danny Potter was largely untroubled in the U's goal.

As they tried to rally the Hatters got themselves back into the game when Hatswell headed into his own net following Kevin Nicholls' free-kick on 68 minutes.

That seemed to spurn the Town on but, with them still trailing by two goals they failed to test Potter again.

Cambridge threatened to put the game well and truly beyond doubt with Holroyd, Crow and substitute Andy Parkinson all guilty of missing decent chances but come the full time whistle it was the hosts who were celebrating.

For a minute-by-minute analysis, see below.Result from the Abbey Stadium

Cambridge United 3 (Crow 6, Holroyd 30, 36)

Luton Town 1 (Hatswell 68 (og))

Final score

FULL TIME CAMBRIDGE UNITED 3-1 LUTON TOWN. All the post-match reaction to come.

90 mins - Three additional minutes here at the Abbey.

89 mins - Almost 4-1 as two Cambridge substitutes combine as Jai Reason scampers down the left, clips the ball to the back post for Andy Parkinson but, unmarked, the winger can't touch the ball home. Then, seconds later, from Nicholls' corner Gallen's header is punched away by Potter but, with the goal gaping, Newton can't guide the ball goalwards.

88 mins - Time running out for the Town now and it looks like their dream of an FA Trophy final date will be over. It's pretty even out there at the minute. Still 3-1.

83 mins - Still 3-1 but Cambridge are coming back into this. Can the Town another one to set-up a tense final few minutes? They've done it before...

75 mins - Plenty of Town possession as they continue to try and get back in this but nothing to report of yet. Potter hasn't been called into action but I'm sure there will be in the final 15 minutes.

68 mins  Cambridge 3-1 HATTERS - Game on. Can they do it again? They are back in this and they have Cambridge to thank as centre half Hatswell sends a thumping header past his own goalkeeper from six yards following Nicholls' superb free-kick down the left...Can they?

64 mins - It just doesn't seem to be the Hatters' afternoon as Gnakpa can't control the ball properly after a good move involving Nicholls, Newton and Jarvis. Still 3-0.

60 mins - Lovely move from the Town as Craddock and Barnes-Homer combine with the latter's clever flick finding teeing up Craddock who sees a shot well saved by Potter sprawling at the striker's feet. With Gallen sniffing for a tap-in as the ball breaks loose, Cambridge clear their lines. Unlucky.

57 mins - Good play from the Hatters comes to nothing as Jarvis sees a shot blocked on the edge of the area. Cambridge break down the right with the Town still caught up field. Willmott sends an inviting cross towards Holroyd positioned on the penalty spot and as Pilkington comes out, the U's striker gets up first to head the ball just wide.

55 mins - Another chance for the hosts to make it four as Pilkington is relieved to catch the ball following Crow's near post flick-on from Willmott's dangerous left-wing free-kick.

53 mins - Back come the Hatters but Barnes-Homer drills a shot goalwards that is deflected up in the air and into the arms of Potter.

52 mins - Even better chance for the hosts to make it 4-0 as it's 2 v 2 as Holroyd and Crow bear down on goal. However, Crow twists and turns but fails to pick out his strike partner as he decides to go himself which allows Emanuel to make the clearance.

51 mins - Half chance for Holroyd as he goes in search of a hat-trick but he can't turn Pitt's left-wing cross past Pilkington.

50 mins - The attendance at the Abbey this afternoon is the U's' lowest of the season: 1,665 including 517 shouting for the Town.

47 mins - The changes mean the Hatters line up with a back four of Newton at right back, Emanuel at left back, Keane and Pilkington at centre half; Craddock on the left wing, Gnakpa on the right, Nicholls and Jarvis in the middle and Gallen and Barnes-Homer up front.

46 mins - We're off for the second half and there are two changes for the Town. Two strikers are on for two centre halves as Tom Craddock and Matthew Barnes-Homer replace Alan White and Shane Blackett. All out attack for the Town now.

HALF TIME Cambridge United 3-0 Luton Town - Referee Adcock calls time on the first 45 minutes and the U's are comfortable in control. Not the greatest half from the Town here. They've got it all to do in the second period. Although, sadly, this time, coming from three down will take a monumental effort to earn a draw...let alone a repeat of the scoreline here back in September. Check back in 15 minutes for the second half updates.

45 mins - We've got an additional two added minutes to play before the interval.

43 mins - Cambridge look very comfortable at this stage and they are sensing a fourth. Keane miscontrols the ball that falls to Willmott. As the route to goal opens up for him he tries his luck on his left-foot but can only screw a shot well, well wide of goal for a goal-kick. Moments later, as the Hatters counter, Gnakpa goes down on the edge of the penalty area but the referee's having done of it.

36 mins  GOAL CAMBRIDGE 3-0 Hatters - Oh dear. Holroyd's got his second and this looks ominous. Hatswell fires an ambitious shot from 25 yards is deflected into the path of the home striker who takes plenty of time to pass the ball beyond Pilkington from six yards for his second and Cambridge's third of the afternoon. A tad fortunate but it's uphill from here on in...4-3 anyone?

35 mins - U's top goalscorer Holroyd is clearly in the mood as he fires a left-foot shot goalwards from 25 yards that Blackett does well to get in a block in.

32 mins - Almost 2-1 as Nicholls swings in a free-kick from the left that White gets up first to head goalwards but the ball flies just past Potter's left-hand upright with the U's goalkeeper beaten. That was close.

30 mins  CAMBRIDGE 2-0 Hatters - We've been here before...Cambridge go 2-0 up as Tonkin holds the ball up by the left-hand corner flag, tees up Pitt who curls a pin-point cross onto the head of an unmarked Holroyd who makes no mistake from six yards to beat Pilkington. Can lightening strike for the third time?

26 mins - Then a great move from the Hatters as Gnakpa bursts down into the box down the right flank and finds Gallen in space. His shot on the turn is blocked that falls to Jarvis. With no space the midfielder squares the ball to Newton who strikes goalwards but his shot takes a deflection behind for a corner but Nicholls' resulting flag-kick is disappointing and Cambridge clear the danger. Encouraging play.

21 mins - A real period of lack of action with Cambridge slightly on top...still 1-0.

19 mins - Emanuel is ready and is called into action straight away as he comes on to take a throw down the leftf flank.

17 mins - The Hatters' left-back has gone off to a warm reception from both sets of supporters. The Town are currently playing with 10 men as Lewis Emanuel isn't ready to come on yet...

16 mins - Murray's down shaking his head and it doesn't look good as he's hobbling clutching his foot. The Town have been playing well in this opening first 15 minutes.

11 mins - Cambridge on top at the minute with Holroyd in particular causing the Town defence problems but back come the Hatters break with another good move as Gallen and Jarvis combine well but after a period of playing ping-pong, the hosts clear their lines.

8 mins - Quick thinking from Kevin Pilkington as he races out of his goal to kick clear as Holroyd bears down on goal after beating the offside trap to get past Alan White and Shane Blackett.

6 mins - GOAL  CAMBRIDGE 1-0 Hatters - Despite having the better of the first five minutes they find themselves behind. Chris Holroyd and ex-Hatter Courtney Pitt combine down the left which sees the latter curl in a teasing cross into the six yard box and Danny Crow is on hand to guide the ball beyond Kevin Pilkington in the Town goal.

4 mins - Another half chance from the Town as Newton scuffs a shot goalwards that is comfortable for Potter after more good work from Murray. Bright start.

3 mins - Good start from the Town as Jarvis break from the centre of midfield and square to Kevin Nicholls playing in his advanced role again, feeds Gnakpa down the right who delivers an inviting cross towards Gallen. However the ball breaks for Murray again who sends in another cross that looks dangerous but with Gallen lurking, Brian Saah boots the ball away to safety.

1 min We're off as the Hatters get us underway kicking towards their supporters in the seats behind the goal. Come on you Hatters. And they start very well as former U Freddie Murray bursts down the left to pass to Rossi Jarvis who finds Kevin Gallen who tries a shot on the turn which he doesn't connect well with and it's easy for Potter.

12:29 HERE THEY COME

Out come the two sides to a warm welcome from both sets of fans. The pitch looks in great nick as the December sunshine shines down on the Abbey Stadium. We're almost set with the Town in their white away shirts and shorts with the U's in their traditional amber and black. We're nearly set..COYH!

12:25 LET'S BE HAVING YOU

Unlike the two league fixtures, this game hasn't really captured the imagination of both sets of supporters. Has the half 12 kick-off put the fans off? Or maybe it's the Christmas shopping calling. The Hatters have sold about 500 tickets while Cambridge have apparently sold 900.

12:20 CUP KINGS

The Hatters go into this game unbeaten in nine cup ties stretching back 13 months to a 3-1 reverse at Southend United in the FA Cup. That includes victories over higher league opposition in Brighton, Colchester and Scunthorpe (who can forget) last season and Rochdale and Rotherham this season. Can they make it 10 today?

12:15 AS YOU WERE

Team news is in at the Abbey and Richard Money has kept the faith with the side that did so well to beat Rotherham United 3-0 in midweek. There's no changes except to the subs' bench which looks very strong with Matthew Barnes-Homer included in alongside Tom Craddock, Asa Hall and Lewis Emanuel.

Cambridge meanwhile had goalkeeper worries in the run up to this game with Danny Potter and Laurie Walker doubtful with illness but both are fine with Potter between the sticks this afternoon.

Luton Town: K. Pilkington; G. Pilkington, White, Blackett, Murray; Newton, Keane, Jarvis, Gnakpa; Nicholls; Gallen.

Substitutes: Gore, Craddock, Barnes-Homer, Hall, Emanuel.

Cambridge United: Potter, Gleeson, Tonkin, Saah, Hatswell, Holroyd, Crow, Willmott, Carden, Ives, Pitt.

Substitutes: McAuley, Beesley, Parkinson, Parkinson, Reason, Walker.

11:35 THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY

It's a typically cold December day but the sun is out in Cambridge as we begin our build-up to the Hatters' debut in the FA Trophy. A win today and it's five games from another trip to Wembley. And we like playing there, don't we...Team news coming soon,

11:00 WELCOME

Good morning - yes morning - and a warm welcome to lutontown.co.uk to our text updates service as the Hatters have have an early start against Cambridge United today as they make their debut in the FA Trophy.

Kick-off here at the Abbey Stadium is at 12.30 we've still got 90 minutes until the game kicks-off.

The Town will be looking to continue from where they left off following Tuesday night's superb FA Cup win over Rotherham United by progressing in the Trophy. 

Richard Money has described today's game as the "tie of the round" as two BSP heavyweights go toe-to-toe for a place in the next round of the competition.

The two meetings between the two sides have already produced an incredible 11 goals. The Hatters' 4-3 win back in September will be talked about for years but equally U's fans will look back on last month's 2-2 draw at Kenilworth Road with fond memories after earning a point after being 2-0 down.

A knock-out competition against two teams keen to go all the way in the competition makes for an exiciting afternoon so stay tuned to lutontown.co.uk throughout the afternoon to keep up-to-date with everything that goes on at the Abbey Stadium.

We'll have team news, minute-by-minute updates, reaction and match action for you. On lutontown.co.uk we'll have all the usual updates keeping you bang up-to-date with all the action - and in a number of ways.

There's none of those boring ball-by-ball "defensive thrown-in taken by Luton left-back" updates as we continue to try and bring you an updated and detailed text commentary. This is a great way to keep in touch and has been popular to those supporters not able to get to a computer or a radio as the service is also available and is updated live on our WAP site.

On Hatters Player you all have access to our live commentary. Remember, Player is available as ever which means you all have access to our live commentary. If you haven't heard it yet then where you have been? It's brought to you by Simon "Statto" Pitts - who is quickly making a name for himself with commentary that is the envy of all the competition. His last visit to Cambridge nearly saw him lose his voice such was the drama in Town's epic 4-3 win. That commentary still lives long in the memory of all our listeners!

Of course after the action has finished, Hatters Player will have all the post-match interviews from all the men that matter today.

Whether on Hatters Player or not, we'll have plenty of content to keep you interested as we'll have all of the post-match reaction as well as match action from Gareth Owen to follow after the final whistle. Be sure to check out www.hatterspics.co.uk - our brand new online image library.

And if you want more and feel like interacting with us and fellow Town fans, don't forget we're also on twitter and Facebook so feel free to get involved! Join the updates and get in touch! Email andrew.barringer@2020mission.com during the game and we'll pick the best comments to go live on the site during our live updates.

Enjoy the game.

COYH!