Blue Square Premier

Luton Town 1 (1) Wrexham 0 (0)

A first clean sheet at home since mid-September helped the Hatters put spirited Wrexham to the sword at Kenilworth Road today.

Town bossed the first half and more than deserved their 1-0 half time lead courtesy of Tom Craddock's 36th-minute strike.

But the Red Dragons came out for the second half rejuvenated, forcing Luton to defend desperately at times.

And Andrew Fleming was hugely unlucky to see his long-range effort crash off the underside of the bar as Town just about clung on for victory to close in on the top two.

Town made two changes from the side that struggled to a 2-1 victory against Forest Green at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night.

Striker Matthew Barnes-Homer and midfielder Asa Hall both dropped out of the squad entirely, with Jake Howells and debutant Simon Heslop, freshly signed on a month's loan from Championship side Barnsley, going straight into the side.

The Hatters made a bright start and Keith Keane registered their first effort on target after just four minutes. The combative midfielder won the ball well in midfield before letting rip, but Sam Russell coped well with his wickedly bouncing effort.

Claude Gnakpa's dangerous cross moments later was uncomfortably hacked over the bar by Mansour Assoumani as Luton continued to turn the screw.

Christian Smith slipped free of Keane's shackles on 16 minutes, but rolled a lame effort well wide.

After such a bright start Luton waned for a while, but went close again midway through the half. Some quick thinking by Keane saw him take a shot corner to Howells, but having driven into the box the young winger shanked his shot wide.

Town continued to play some good stuff with Kevin Gallen just being unable to get on the end of a dangerous Ed Asafu-Adjaye cross, while Craddock and Heslop combined beautifully on 26 minutes with the two eventually getting in each other's way as the new boy could only muster a weak effort right at Russell.

At the other end, a great crossfield pass released Was Baynes on the half hour mark and, having created space on the edge of the box, fizzed an effort into Mark Tyler's midriff.

With 10 minutes of the half left Luton proceeded to play some champagne football with Keane terrier-like in the middle.

And Town got their reward on 36 minutes. Heslop's ball left Craddock plenty to do when he received it on the halfway line. The young striker skinned Assoumani as he burst into the box before unleashing an unstoppable left-foot effort that Russell could only push on to the inside of the post on its way into the net.

Buoyed by the goal Howells put in a great cross moments later but Gnakpa could only head tamely at Russell.

Craddock was just unable to connect with Freddie Murray's tantalising cross with two minutes left as Town went into the break fully deserving to be at least one goal to the good.

Luton started the second half as they ended the first, with Craddock, full of confidence, producing some good skill to get him in the box, only to scuff his effort straight at Russell.

A comic moment almost ended in tragedy on 52 minutes. Keane could only kick the corner flag when looking to take a corner shot. And, having seen his corner eventually half-cleared, Heslop teed Howells up on the edge of the box, but his drive flew inches over.

Last season's leading Blue Square Premier scorer Andy Mangan was allowed far too much time and space on the edge of the box on the hour, but fortunately for Luton he fired straight at Tyler.

Craddock then twice went close in a matter of seconds. Tyler's long clearance left Wrexham's backline at sixes and sevens and the young striker was only just beaten to the ball by Russell.

And with Silvio Spann prostrate on the floor Craddock had another great chance seconds later. Heslop's pass picked him out in space and, although Craddock created some room, Russell saved well with his legs.

The Red Dragons were far more of a threat in the second half and almost levelled on 68 minutes. Fleming was teed up 25 yards out and let fly with a thunderous effort that crashed off the underside of the bar and out as Kenilworth Road breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Suddenly it was all Wrexham as wave after wave of attack foundered on the Hatters' defence.

A flailing elbow from Fleming in Craddock's face went unpunished as Town were forced to defend frantically.

Murray and Heslop both fired in efforts with nine minutes left while, after a slow start substitute Rossi Jarvis put in a great cross with four minutes left but neither Gallen or Howells could get there as Assoumani cleared the danger.

Having endured several dangerous free-kicks substitute Mark Nwokeji's pace gave them an outlet late on, although incredibly five minutes were added on by referee S Creighton who had an indifferent second half.

Nwokeji struggled in the final stages but Luton held firm to claim a crucial victory.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Keith Keane, Janos Kovacs, George Pilkington (C), Tom Craddock, Jake Howells, Claude Gnakpa (Rossi Jarvis 64), Kevin Gallen (Mark Nwokeji 87), Freddie Murray, Simon Heslop. Substitutes not used: Shane Blackett, Shane Gore, Craig Nelthorpe.

Red Dragons (4-5-1): Sam Russell, Ashley Westwood (C), Mansour Assoumani, Mike Williams, Mark Jones (Curtis Obeng 64), Silvio Spann, Wes Baynes, Andrew Fleming (Matthew Wolfenden 82), Christian Smith, Luke Holden (Lamine, Sakho 54), Andy Mangan. Substitutes not used: Neil Taylor, Chris Maxwell.

Referee: S Creighton.

Assistant referees: J O'Brien and K Kirkbride.

Fourth official: P Georgiou.

Booked: Christian Smith 28; Ashley Westwood 28; Ed Asafu-Adjaye 39; Keith Keane 90+2.

Attendance: 6,528 (Wrexham 143).

Star Hatter: Keith Keane. Chased everything and ran the midfield.