The Under-18s cemented their place at the top of the Youth Alliance as a 4-1 win over Sutton secured a 10th win in 11 league games.

In a scrappy first half, the Hatters took the lead in the 43rd minute when Harry Fox’s corner was headed home at the back post by Christian Chigozie, who started the week by signing his first professional contract.

However, the Town’s hopes of leading at the break were dashed when, on the stroke of half-time, Sutton equalised following a corner of their own.

After the break the Hatters rolled up their sleeves and, shortly before the hour, Charlie Trustram’s fine pass released Kyron Roberts-Edema and the full-back finished well from 12 yards to restore the lead.

As Sutton pushed for an equaliser the Town held firm and with eight minutes left goalkeeper Oliver Pipa’s long ball downfield bounced through to David Gawel and the striker made no mistake with a finish to make it 3-1.

Three became four in the final minute when Gawel got his second, tapping home after Samuel Hincapie-Alfonso’s shot was parried by the Sutton keeper.

A delighted Joe Deeney said afterwards: “It was never going to be a glamourous game given the conditions and the state of the pitch.

“However, the boys, after a stern half-time team-talk, really responded in the second half and were well worth the three points.”

Next up for the youth team is an Under-17 PDL Cup quarter-final at home to Bristol City on Wednesday.

Town: Pipa, Roberts-Edema, Evans, Chigozie, Emery, Kwame Anson, Ioannides, Fox, Gawel, Trustram, Asamoah Junior.

Subs: Brant, Booth, Hincapie-Alfonso, Barnes, Takawira.