Fin Evans became the Hatters’ youngest ever senior goalscorer as the Town advanced to Vertu Trophy knockout stages after comfortable 3-1 victory over Brighton Under-21s at Kenilworth Road.

Jack Wilshere made a host of changes from the side that secured his first victory as Hatters boss on Saturday, including a debut for 16-year-old Evans and a first start for Hakeem Odoffin after his defensive heroics at Sixfields.

It was almost a perfect start for the Hatters after Liam Walsh’s free-kick was headed past Steven Hall only for the defender to be denied by the inside of the post.

An inch-perfect outside the boot pass from Jerry Yates picked out Joe Gbodé on the left-hand side but the Town forward was swiftly closed down by Zane Albarus.

With eight minutes remaining at the end of the half, Jerry Yates bagged his third Luton Town goal to give the Hatters the lead. Gideon Kodua fired an effort goalwards which was met by a flick from Yates into an open net.

Five minutes later, the Hatters were awarded a penalty. Cohen Bramall’s delivery from the left was blocked by the hand of Tyler Silsby and without hesitation referee Alex Chilowicz pointed to the spot. Yates stepped up and tucked the ball away two give Jack Wilshere’s side a two-goal lead at the break.

Harry Fox was introduced for his Luton debut at the break, replacing Bramall. His first piece of defensive action was a thumping clearance from an Albion free-kick.

On the hour, Hakeem Odoffin’s first Kenilworth Road outing ended to a round of applause from the Hatters faithful, he was replaced by Christ Makosso. Walsh’s return to action also ended with 60 in the tank, with Lasse Nordås the man coming on for him.

The visitors were given a lifeline with 15 to play. Noël Atom’s left footed effort rolled past James Shea giving the away team something to fight for in the closing stages.

But Hatters history was written with 10 minutes remaining. Evans found himself free at the backpost and launched an unstoppable effort past Hall to mark his senior debut with a goal, becoming the Hatters’ youngest ever senior goalscorer at 16 years and 271 days.

Yates, on a hat-trick, was denied by a strong save from Hall in additional time, and that proved to be the final piece of action of the match.

The victory ensures the Town advance to the Vertu Trophy knockout stages, but they must wait and see where they will finish in the group, with current third place side Cambridge United yet to play their final match of the group against Brighton.

Town: Shea, Odoffin (sub Makosso 60), Andersen, Evans, Bramall (sub Fox 46), Nakamba, Walsh (sub Nordås 60) , Nelson, Kodua, Gbodé (sub Richards 83), Yates.

Unused subs: Thomas, Lorentzen-Jones.

Attendance: 2,212, including 69 from Brighton.

Report by Owen Williams