Luton 1-0 Wycombe: Matthew Spring ended Wycombe's unbeaten start to 2003 with the only goal in a bad tempered match at Kenilworth Road.

The match started with five players being booked in the first 25 minutes. Luton immediately took control with Emmerson Boyce and Steve Robinson having decent shots saved by Wycombe's Frank Talia.

Wycombe never threatened Carl Emberson's goal and the Hatters always looked superior. Their top scorer Steve Howard looked to add to his brace against the Blues at Adams Park four weeks ago and he saw a good, left-footed strike tipped around the post by Talia on 30 minutes.

An uneventful half ended with a header from Howard sailing wide and a warning from Matthew Spring about his potential danger. He fired a crisp drive straight at Talia.

Lawrie Sanchez made just one change to the starting line-up from the previous week's draw with Oldham, bringing in Richard Harris in favour of Stuart Roberts. Wycombe's away formation of a five-man defence looked more vulnerable in the second half as Luton started in impressive fashion.

The goal was inevitable and it came after 57 minutes. Skilful play by former Bristol City striker Tony Thorpe led to Matthew Spring getting the ball 6 yards out and his left-footed finish into the top-left of the goal was no more than Luton deserved.

Wycombe's only shot on target came when Richard Harris put in Steve Brown, who was making his 400th appearance for Wanderers. Unfortunately for Brown, Emberson blocked his shot.

The goal didn't seem to make much of an impact on a Wycombe side lacking in ideas. The effort of the team was unquestionable but the creativity needed to penetrate a mean Luton back line wasn't available.

The introduction of Darren Currie and Stuart Roberts didn't seem to make an impact and Luton ended the match threatening to add to their lead. Talia made a superb save from Howard in the final minute to keep the score down to 1-0.

A good result was always going to be difficult to achieve against a well-organised and skilful Luton side but Wycombe will be disappointed to have failed to end the month unbeaten. However, the Blues will look to continue the form they showed before this match by beating Notts County next Saturday.

Luton Town: Emberson, Boyce, Neilson, Coyne, Kimble, Spring, Nicholls, Robinson (Brkovic, 67), Hughes, Thorpe, Howard

Subs: Ovendale, Fotiadis, Crowe, Brkovic, Hillier.

Goal: Spring, 57

Wycombe Wanderers: Talia, Thomson (Roberts, 76), Rogers, Johnson, Senda, Ryan (Cook, 88), Bulman, Simpson, Brown (Currie, 76), Faulconbridge, Harris

Subs: Currie, Roberts, Simpemba, Lee, Cook.

Referee: C Wilkes (Gloucestershire)

January 27, 2003 10:00