Hatters on the wrong end of a 4-1 defeat at Wimbledon
The Town lost for the first time away from home under Nathan Jones as they were soundly beaten by AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow.
The hosts scored four goals in two two-goal bursts in each half to put the game beyond the Hatters as early as the 49th minute.
Ryan Sweeney’s header following a right-wing corner on 23 minutes was followed by a deflected header from Lyle Taylor three minutes later.
Barely two minutes into the second half it was 3-0 when substitute Sean Rigg arrowed a low shot from outside the penalty area beyond Elliot Justham.
And two minutes later, on 49 minutes, it was four when Taylor swept home his second goal following another right-wing corner.
The Town, who had looked good in possession before the Wombles’ opener, had chances in the first half with Cameron McGeehan’s left-foot strike and Paul Benson’s shot saved by home goalkeeper Kelle Roos.
Jack Marriott reduced arrears with his ninth goal of the season on the hour, thumping a well-struck effort on the turn beyond Roos.
McGeehan saw an effort ruled out for offside – which would have made it 4-2 with 14 minutes to go – but after that the hosts were able to hold on to their three-goal lead and consign the Hatters to defeat.
Town: Justham; O'Donnell, Howells, Cuthbert, Sheehan; Lee (sub Pigott 72), McGeehan, McCourt (sub Smith 56); Mackail-Smith (sub Okuonghae 46), Marriott, Benson.
Town subs not used: Tyler, Potts, Green, Ruddock.
Attendance: 4,439, including 833 shouting for the Town.