The Hatters Under-18s bounced back from the disappointment of losing in the FA Youth Cup to beat Sutton United 4-1 at The Brache on Tuesday.

Joe Deeney’s side were 3-0 up at the break and were in front in the 20th minute when Michael Takawira found Tate Xavier-Jones and he drilled a left-foot shot into the bottom corner.

Five minutes later the lead was doubled when Takawira headed home following Lloyd Asamoah Junior’s cross.

Sutton hit the crossbar with a 25-yard drive but they were largely limited to efforts from distance and on 33 minutes the Hatters made it 3-0. Xavier-Jones found himself clear of the visiting defence and the forward sent a composed finish past the Sutton keeper.

Takawira saw a goal ruled out just before half-time when touching home from close range following Charlie Trustram’s shot, however, early in the second half the Town did score their fourth goal of the afternoon with a contender for goal of the season when Trustram clipped a fantastic finish home from inside his own half.

The Hatters had chances to extend their lead but it was Sutton who had the final word when the visitors scored a consolation with five minutes left.

Victory – their sixth in their last seven matches – lifts the Town into second place in the Youth Alliance, just two points behind AFC Wimbledon in the table.

Town: Hockey, Harvey, Fox, Ioannides, Emery, Kwame Anson, Asamoah Junior, Trustram, Takawira, Xavier-Jones, Shepherd.

Subs: Roberts-Edema, Pipa, Stitt, Odegah.