The Hatters were beaten by Norwich City 3-1 this evening at Kenilworth Road as a clinical first half from the Canaries proved too big of a mountain for Nathan Jones' side to climb in the second 45 minutes.
The Hatters looked much improved in the second half, but a goal just before the hour mark for the hosts couldn't inspire the comeback a crowd of just under 3,000 were hoping for.
It was a fairly even start with both sides knocking the ball around nicely, but it was the visitors who took the lead as Grant Hanley prodded home from close range eight minutes in after the Hatters failed to deal with a Ben Marshall corner.
Daniel Farke's side doubled their advantage five minutes later as Jack Senior brought down Marshall as he darted into the penalty area, with referee Alan Young pointing to the spot - although the contact did appear to take place just outside the area. Jordan Rhodes made no mistake from 12 yards though, sending Shea the wrong way.
The Canaries striker hobbled off just after the 20 minute mark as a robust challenge from Senior left the loan signing from Sheffield Wednesday unable to continue.
Norwich had their third on the stroke of half-time, as Marshall crossed in a perfect ball for former Celtic man Teemu Pukki to tuck in from a few yards out.
Town started the second half the brighter and should have had a goal back ten minutes after the restart when Shinnie picked out Jake Jervis in the box, but his first-time effort went over as the striker slipped.
The Hatters got the goal they deserved though, as Senior's brilliant ball into the Norwich box was met by Hylton, who forced a decent save from Tim Krul – making his debut for the Canaries – but he couldn't stop Gambin who thumped it home from all of a yard.
Three minutes after the hour mark almost saw the Hatters get another back when James Justin's back stick cross was again met by Hylton – this time the striker unable to guide it towards goal, having done so well to get there in the first place.
With both teams slowing down in the final stages, Andrew Shinnie had a pop at goal from 25 yards with three minutes to go, but it was high and wide of the visitors' goal.
The Hatters are next in action this Saturday, as they take on Notts County at Kenilworth Road.
Town: Shea, Justin, Jones, Bradley, Senior, Rea, Read, Shinnie, Gambin, Jervis, Hylton.
Subs: Stech, James, Jarvis, Musonda, Pearson, Sheehan, Potts, McCormack, Mpanzu, Grant, Lee, Cornick, Collins, Stacey.
Norwich: Krul, Hanley (Zimmerman 46), Godfrey, McLean, Marshall, Buendia, Cantwell, Thompson, Aarons, Pukki, Rhodes (Stiepermann 22).
Subs: Husband, Zimmerman, Leitner, Trybull, Passlack, Hernandez, Srbeny, McGovern.
Yellow cards: Buendia
Attendance: 2,957
Away: 433