The Town exited the FA Cup after a penalty shootout defeat at Fleetwood.
In an entertaining tie in atrocious conditions on the Fylde coast, the Hatters twice battled from behind against the League Two side with Jerry Yates and a stunning strike from Teden Mengi in injury time taking the tie to extra-time.
But after no further goals in the extra half-an-hour it went to penalties where Fleetwood goalkeeper David Harrington was the hero saving from Jacob Brown and Liam Walsh to end the Town’s interest in this season’s competition.
Both sides came close in the first half to opening the scoring with Zack Nelson shooting over and Lasse Nordås, fresh from his two goals in midweek against Exeter, twice spurning good opportunities.
After half-chances came and went it was the home side that took the lead moments after Jack Wilshere had made a triple substitution when Ethan Ennis, on loan from Manchester United, diverted a shot beyond James Shea at the back-post on 65 minutes.
The Town’s response to falling behind was good and seven minutes later they were level with a well-worked goal. Reuell Walters’ pass down the right flank released Gideon Kodua and the winger squared for Yates to finish from six yards.
Four minutes later Mads Andersen powered a header over the bar from close range as the Hatters went in search of a winner but it was the hosts that other ideas when, with seven minutes left, Ennis curled home his second to restore the lead.
However, the Town refused to give in, and their efforts were rewarded three minutes into injury time when the ball broke to Mengi on the edge of the penalty area and the defender curled a sumptuous finish into the top corner.
Kal Naismith was introduced at the start of extra-time for his 100th appearance in Luton colours as the Hatters went in search of the lead and they almost had it on 103 minutes when former Fleetwood winger Shayden Morris’ low drive was expertly saved by Harrington.
But with no further chances for either side, the game went to penalties.
Taking first in front of the travelling Hatters fans, Kodua and Naismith scored the Town’s first two but Harrington stopped efforts from Brown and Walsh leaving Harrison Neal to win it for the hosts and send them in round three.
We’re back in League One action on Tuesday night when we make the short trip to Leyton Orient. We’ll see you then.
Town: Shea, Walters, Johnson (sub Naismith 91), Andersen, Mengi, Saville (sub Walsh 46), Fanne, Richards (sub Brown 63), Nelson (sub Morris 85), Alli (sub Kodua 63), Nordås (sub Yates 63).
Subs not used: Keeley, Morris, Lonwijk, Makosso.
Attendance: 1,180, including 663 supporting the Town.
