Cup kings Luton turned in a classy yet tenacious display as they upset the form book to progress into the third round of the FA Cup.

After a shaky first few minutes, Town proceeded to dominate last night's game at Kenilworth Road against League Two high-fliers Rotherham United.

Adam Newton's early strike got Luton up-and-running before Alan White's first goal of the season gave the Hatters a two-goal cushion at the break.

A thumping strike from the impressive Claude Gnakpa midway through the second half sealed victory and Town's watertight defence ensured a well-deserved clean sheet as the Hatters eased to victory against an ordinary-looking Millers outfit.

Despite setting out to contain the visitors, Luton were run ragged in the opening stages.

A corner in the very first minute almost broke the deadlock, but Jarvis was in the right place as he was able to clear Ian Sharps' header off the line.

And Jarvis was at the centre of the action again seconds later as, with keeper Kevin Pilkington grounded, he diverted Danny Harrison's effort into the air. However, Pilkington recovered just in time to punch clear off the line.

Having been rattled, Town snatched the lead out of the blue on seven minutes. Jarvis' ball found Nicholls on the edge of the box and his clever cross found Newton, who sent his marker and the keeper the wrong way before sliding the ball home.

Luton's pacey winger then fluffed the chance to make it two three minutes later. Gallen made the most of a Stephen Brogan error and picked Newton out with his cross, but he could only side-foot wide of the left-hand post.

Chances continued to come thick and fast with Sharps winning another Nicky Law corner on 13 minutes, but this time Pilkington saved low to his right.

But Town put themselves firmly in the driving seat with a second on 19 minutes. Gnakpa did well to win a free-kick and Nicholls' inch-perfect delivery found White, who headed home his first goal since rejoining the club in the summer.

The Millers should have levelled seconds later when a cross from the right picked out the unmarked Adam Le Fondre in the six yard box, but he could only head straight at Pilkington.

In a breathless first half you took your eye off the action at your peril and Newton almost made it 3-0 on 21 minutes when Gallen's pass found him in space on the edge of his box, but his effort sizzled wide of the far post.

The Hatters then had a decent appeal for a penalty turned down midway through the half when Newton teased a cross into the box and Brogan appeared to handle the ball with Gnakpa looming.

Town visibly grew in confidence and produced some hugely entertaining and adventurous one-touch football as the Millers were left to chase shadows.

Jarvis pulled an opportunity well wide before Freddie Murray's driven cross on the half-hour mark flicked the bar on its way wide.

Harrison thumped an effort wide with three minutes of the half left, before another lovely Luton moved almost saw them score again.
Nicholls' quick free-kick set Newton clear on the left but Gallen could only head his pinpoint cross over the bar from six yards out as Town went into the break two goals to the good.

And the chances continued to flow after the break, with White heading a dangerous corner wastefully over on 51 minutes and Le Fondre curling an effort just off target soon after.

Rotherham captain Sharps went close again two minutes later, but Pilkington tipped his header over the bar after Law's corner had been flicked on by Kevin Ellison.

Gnakpa picked up a silly booking on the hour when he lobbed the ball home after he had been flagged for offside.

However, he made amends eight minutes later as he netted a fine third for the unrelenting Hatters.

Patient build-up play eventually saw Murray streak down the left before pulling the ball back to the Frenchman, who made space before drilling home into the bottom left-hand corner.

Brogan fired a well-placed free-kick over with 15 minutes left, while Gary Roberts' low long-range drive was easily saved by Pilkington four minutes later.

And the visitors had their best chance of the game with nine minutes left when Roberts raced clear of Gallen and picked Drewe Broughton out in the box, but United's substitute could only head against the bar.

Substitute Tom Craddock made a real impact after his introduction, having a late effort cleared off the line by Sharps after the lively Newton had twice been denied by Andy Warrington, but Town had already done enough to secure a well-deserved victory.