Clark scores the winner as Luton set up glamour Manchester United tie

Luton set-up a mouth-watering Carabao Cup third round tie against Premier League giants Manchester United after a 1-0 win at Championship rivals Reading this evening.

Jordan Clark scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half earning Town a first win at the Royals since August 1999, ending a run of six straight defeats in the process.

The visitors made nine changes for the clash, with boss Nathan Jones handing a first start to summer signings Tom Lockyer, Jordan Clark and James Bree, the latter making his second debut after rejoining permanently from Aston Villa.

Danny Hylton, Kazenga LuaLua and George Moncur were all in too, with only Sonny Bradley and Rhys Norrington-Davies retained from the weekend’s 1-0 win at Barnsley.

A bright start by Town on both flanks saw Moncur send an ambitious half volley harmlessly wide early on and Lockyer’s header easily gathered by Luke Southwood.

The Reading keeper was then forced into a much better save when Hylton rose highest to meet Bree’s excellent right-wing cross on 15 minutes, spreading himself impressively to parry.

Luton continued to dominate proceedings, another corner from the left met by Bradley simple for Southwood, as was Clark’s tame low effort from 20 yards.

There was no stopping the Hatters on 24 minutes though as they deservedly took the lead with a goal of real class.

Norrington-Davies swung over a cross and Clark leapt superbly to climb imperiously above his marker and power a header beyond Southwood for his first goal in Luton colours.

Town then comfortably held their opponents at arm’s length as Reading tried to find some continuity in their passing, Sam Baldock slicing into the empty stands on 39 minutes their onl real half chance at an equaliser.

After the break, home defender Tom McIntyre almost put Andrew Shinnie’s low cross into his own net, while Bree burst away on the right, Hylton glancing his delivery off target.

The right back was a constant threat all evening on the right flank from open play and set-pieces, arrowing a free kick into the box for Hylton’s looping header to drop inches wide.

Reading finally created an opening worthy of a chance when Dejan Tetek sliced through the visitors’ midfield, only to see Baldock sidefoot weakly at Shea.

The Royals began to look capable of grabbing an equaliser with their first real concerted spell of pressure, Tom Holmes’ header going across the six yard box where Hylton was able to poke behind.

Luton still kept an attacking threat of their own, Shinnie’s volley not missing by much and then Moncur drilling straight at Southwood from distance.

Despite having plenty of possession in the final stages, Reading never looked like forcing penalties, bar a late Lynford Sackey’s drive that forced Shea to gather at his near post.

Royals: Luke Southwood, Tennai Watson, Ethan Bristow, Tom McIntyre, Tom Holmes, Felipe Araruna, Dejan Tetek, Sone Aluko (Nelson Abbey 89) , Marc McNulty (Lynford Sackey 70), Sam Baldock ©, George Puscas (Nahum Melvin-Lambert 85).

Subs not used: Sam Walker, Ryan East, Oliver Pendlebury, Joseph Ajose.

Hatters: James Shea, James Bree (Peter Kioso 85), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Sonny Bradley ©, Tom Lockyer (Martin Cranie 90), Ryan Tunnicliffe, Andrew Shinnie, George Moncur, Jordan Clark, Kazenga LuaLua (Elliot Lee 72), Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Simon Sluga, Glen Rea, James Collins, Harry Cornick.

Booked: LuaLua 61, Bradley 78.

Referee: Charles Breakspear.