Below par Hatters are hammered by Cardiff

Luton Town produced one of their worst performances of the season as they were simply no match for Cardiff City this afternoon, falling to their biggest defeat of the campaign.

The visitors, usually so defensively sound this term, found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening 10 minutes, a mountain they just couldn't climb, conceding twice more after the break, as their four game unbeaten run was convincingly ended.

Luton boss Nathan Jones made one change from the 1-1 draw with Birmingham in midweek, Ryan Tunnicliffe starting for the first time since the 1-0 defeat at Rotherham earlier this month, Elliot Lee dropping to the bench.

After being so hard to break down on their travels, especially since Jones returned as manager, Town were breached on five minutes as Luke Berry was felled just outside the box, but referee Josh Smith opted to play on.

When Luton's chance went begging, the hosts transferred play quickly up the other end, Kieffer Moore's shot excellently blocked by the covering Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

However, the danger wasn't over, as from the set-piece, Town were behind with a goal of incredibly simplicity, Harry Wilson's deep corner met by the completely unmarked Sean Morrison at the back post, who cleverly prodded into the net.

The second quickly arrived in just as alarmingly soft fashion with nine gone, Sheyi Ojo taking off on a run down the left hand side which wasn't stopped by Tunnicliffe, sending in a cross for Mark Harris to have the freedom of the area.

He took a touch and slotted into the corner, leaving Simon Sluga wrong-footed and Hatters already 2-0 behind.

A shell-shocked Luton almost had one back instantly when Dewsbury-Hall picked out the run of Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who tried to beat Alex Smithies at his near post, the keeper touching behind.

Luton carried on looking open at the back, as when a corner of their own was cleared, Harris went for spectacular personal second, his ambitious volley taking a nick on its way behind.

Despite being two goals adrift, Town were still find some decent positions, with the feeling that the next strike was increasingly important.

However, defensively they were hanging by a thread at times, Joe Ralls sending James Collins' misplaced headed clearance wide and then the visitors almost sliced open again just before the half hour.

Sonny Bradley's attempts to find the top corner from 25 yards didn't come off, while Luton were almost 3-0 down on 33 minutes, Sluga slipping when attempting to clear his captain's backpass.

It was pounced upon by Harris, who went for goal, hammering a shot that Town's keeper managed to block with his shoulder from point blank range, the Croatian requiring treatment afterwards.

With five minutes to go until half time, Jones opted to make two changes, James Bree and Sam Nombe coming on, the latter for his Town and Championship debut, Mpanzu and Berry making way.

Nombe was almost involved in making it 2-1 before the break, Collins dragging wide from the edge of the box

Sluga ensured it remained just a two goal deficit using his feet well to repel a low Moore drive, as Jones resisted the temptation to change any more of his side during the interval.

The Hatters' intended fast start to the second period didn't ever materialise though, as in fact they should have fallen further behind on 53 minutes, Ralls directing his free header wide of the target.

Jones' men just couldn't handle the Bluebirds' menacing set-pieces throughout the afternoon though and it was no surprise when Moore got the goal he had been threatening, climbing above Bree to beat Sluga.

It should have been 4-0, Ojo somehow nodding over the bar from virtually on the line, as Jones rung all his changes as the game wore on, Lee, Tom Lockyer and Joe Morrell introduced.

Whatever he tried it didn't work though, Will Vaulks drilling into the stands, as Luton's miserable afternoon against set-pieces wasn't over yet Glen Rea only heading as far as Ojo, who made amends for his earlier miss by drilling into the bottom corner with seven minutes left.

The visitors almost had a consolation which was quite out of keeping with their efforts over the previous 90 minutes, Morrell driving forward and unleashing a brilliant strike that hit the inside of the post and bounced out.

Luton then showed more attacking intent in the final 60 seconds than at any time beforehand, Rea curling over on his left foot, but in all honesty, they were well and truly beaten.

Bluebirds: Alex Smithies, Joe Bennett, Sean Morrison ©, Will Vaulks, Leandro Bacuna, Joe Ralls (Marlon Pack 67), Kieffer Moore (Robert Glatzel 67), Curtis Nelson, Harry Wilson (Junior Hoilett 76), Sheyi Ojo (Josh Murphy 86), Mark Harris (Gavin Whyte 76).

Subs not used: Dillon Phillips, Filip Benkovic, Sol Bamba, Joel Bagan.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Matty Pearson, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Glen Rea, Sonny Bradley ©, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Tom Lockyer 71), Ryan Tunnicliffe (Joe Morrell 71), Luke Berry (Sam Nombe 41), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (James Bree 41), Harry Cornick, James Collins.

Subs not used: James Shea, Martin Cranie, George Moncur, Jordan Clark.

Booked: Nelson 4.

Referee: Josh Smith.