The Hatters suffered a set-back in their quest for Premier League survival after being well-beaten by Brentford at Kenilworth Road.
With the Town knowing a victory would lift them outside of the relegation zone, Rob Edwards’ men had no answer against the Bees.
Confidence was high before kick-off as Edwards named a side containing Teden Mengi, Gabe Osho and Sambi Lokonga but their returns to the side offered the Town little as Thomas Frank’s visitors ran away all three points.
The Bees could have already been ahead by the time they took the lead in the 24th minute when Yoane Wissa struck a fine first-time shot that flew into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Brentford has restricted the Town to scraps into the attacking third – with Tahith Chong and Carlton Morris closest with half-chances – and minutes after Bryan Mbeumo’s effort had struck the crossbar Wissa doubled the visitors’ lead when poking home inside the six yard box on the stroke of half-time.
The Hatters continued to struggle after the break and Thomas Kaminski produced a fine save to prevent Mikkel Damsgaard’s low effort from creeping home.
However, Kaminski’s goal was then breached twice in the space of three minutes as the Hatters fell apart. Firstly, on 62 minutes, Ethan Pinnock rose to head home a corner before Lewis Keane-Potter nodded home at the back-post to make it 4-0.
As the Town failed to produce a noteworthy attack in response it was almost 5-0, only for Kaminski to stop efforts from Kristoffer Ajer and Mbeumo.
Brentford did make it five with four minutes left when substitute Kevin Schade blasted into an empty after good work from Mbeumo.
The Hatters had barely created a chance in the second half but Edwards’ side did manage a consolation in injury time when substitute Luke Berry rounded Mark Flekken to score his second goal of the season.
The fight is not over. We’ll see you at Wolves next weekend.
Town: Kaminski; Kaboré (sub Onyedinma 35), Doughty, Osho, Mengi, Burke (sub Berry 46); Lokonga (sub Hashioka 71), Barkley, Clark (sub Mpanzu 81), Chong (sub Townsend 71), Morris.
Subs not used: Shea, Krul, Woodrow, Johnson.
